What are the objects you couldn’t live without?

I started this post a few months ago and never got around to finishing it. The Maui wildfires got me again thinking about how I would answer this question. I am not overly attached to objects. I can easily give away, donate, and throw away things I don’t use anymore. That is not to say that I don’t have a favorite spatula, cup, or pillow. But I would be able to live without those things. My husband is the opposite. He loves to acquire things and if he has a good memory attached to some object, he can’t bear to part with it. This includes old, dusty stuffed animals my kids liked as toddlers, an old bird cage that years ago once housed a pet lovebird, and even old travel bags that should be retired. In fact, he is so attached to one of his travel bags that he searched for and purchased the exact same out-of-production bag so that he would never have to live without it.

As I reflect on what objects I NEED–the one thing that comes to mind would be my phone. It’s more than a phone. It is a source of information and communication. It is a camera. The apps give us easy access to health, financial, scheduling, and travel info. For me, it is also a source of relaxation — I enjoy doing my daily crossword puzzle and Wordle. It helps me keep up with the news and I like listening to podcasts. I can’t imagine what people are going through on Maui right now but I see that the phone is a lifeline–but without cell service and power–I have no idea how they are managing. Other than that, I see that having cash, credit cards, IDs are essential. As I am overwhelmed with emotion and wondering how I can best help those on Maui without overwhelming systems that aren’t yet in place, I sit here at my laptop at my desk in my home with power and food, and water and am so grateful. Grateful for the rain that is falling outside right now. Grateful to know that my family is safe. My heart aches for those who are trying to survive on Maui, for those who haven’t heard from their Maui loved ones, and for the long journey of recovery ahead.

I don’t need stuff. Stuff is replaceable. The most important things are the non-objects. The memories. (On that note — any tips on how to get old photos that are stuck in old photo albums into a digital format that I can put in the cloud?) Spending precious time with loved ones. Appreciating being alive and healthy. Call your loved one. Go for a walk. Pet your dog. Sending aloha and healing energy to all who need it. Living Hilo Style.