back into the boxes

every few months, my 'life' goes back into boxes. i wrap my camels and picture frames in scarves and collect my artwork off the walls. i hold each object and piece of cloth lovingly before i put it away. i try to keep only things with sentimental value - pieces of matter that speak to me of people, places, or experiences that have shaped me. other things get donated or recycled. every time i wonder at all i have collected, of all this substance that speaks of who i am.
this time round i have nice plastic boxes that will hold these material reflections of my life. the vibrant colors, especially the chadian fabric, are visible through the clear plastic of the closed boxes - a foggy window into the partial reflection of my passions and my life journey.
possessions do not define us and i recognize that i am so much more than the sum of what i own or wear. however, what i own and how i present myself has the capability to honor my individuality, my strength of character,  hopes, and my dreams.
what i love most about packing is the story of that which does not get put in boxes. choosing the  few pieces of clothing or jewelry that will accompany as i journey around for a month is challenging but inspirational. only those things that allow me to be fully myself, that highlight my uniqueness, or remind me of the relationships in my life that matter most will accompany me to richmond (to new hopes, questions and potentials), to winnipeg (to comfort, reunion, and warmth in the cold), to bc (to thoughts, and family, and processing life), to an aunts wedding (to joy, and life, and love) and back again. my other possessions will be loved and treasured and worn again in time, but only my favorites will fit into my little red suitcase.  i have the chance to chose what objects and fabrics i will allow to define me and reflect me over the next few weeks. and i enjoy thinking about the meaning of my choices.



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