A True (but slightly exaggerated) Story

I sip my latte and mindlessly look out my kitchen window, waiting for the airline "baggage restrictions" page to load. My home is in a beautiful, country/forest setting but because of that, it doesn't make good for prompt Internet connection. Think back to the ancient days of dial-up, folks...yup, that's what it's like. So, finally the page loads and I scroll down to read about the baggage restrictions from the states to Israel. Scroll, scroll, scroll....hmmm, there are so many rules for checked baggage now. Eventually I get to the part that I've been looking for. That is, of course, after I read about over-sized luggage, special baggage, excess baggage, travelling with a child, stroller restrictions, child car seat restriction, and what to do when travelling with sports equipment. Okay, there it is: I get one bag that weighs 23 kg. First of all, WHAT? One? And, secondly how much is 23 kg? It must be about 150 lbs., since I only get one. I'm sure it must be. But no, all my illusions are dashed when I discover that 23 kg is about 50 lbs. Sara, do not panic. It is totally feasible. I can manage to pack my whole life into 50 lbs. Easy. All I have to take is pants, shorts, tops, dresses, skirts, sweaters, pj's, formal wear (you can never be too prepared), fashion scarves, head scarves, jewelry (must accessorize), about 10 purses (more accessorizing), all the shoes that might be necessary for any type excursion or outfit, all the curriculum and teaching supplies I need for schooling, all my daily toiletries, jackets, sunscreen, that totally cute straw summer hat, and my plethora of technology which probably weighs about 45 lbs. by itself. No problem, if necessary I can just leave a purse behind. 

As I stated in the title "A True (but slightly exaggerated) Story", some of the above is a teeny, tiny bit over-the-top. The sweaters might be a little much for Israel, don't ya think? But, in all truthfulness most of what I wrote is correct, I do have a lot to bring from my "here home" to my new "there home". What I should pack has really caused me to think. What do I need? What do I REALLY need, not want, need? I have been trying to look at my life and think about that. I would really like to bring my nephew with me, but for many reasons, mostly obvious ones, that is not an option. I will miss him. I will have to leave him behind, along with all the other people I wish I could pack in my suitcase. In considering what to take, there are many things I want to pack to bring along. I can quickly think back to all the other times I've packed for a trip where I brought what I thought was important. The average percentile of my over-packing is about 90%. As I pondered on my 10% success rate in mad packing skills, I began to think of people who made an impact on the world who seemingly travelled with nothing. Bear with me on this rabbit trail....I began to think about Mother Teresa.  Her heart was so burdened for the poor and destitute, that she wanted to live with them. She received basic training to do medical work, and soon started tending to the needs of the destitute and starving. She had no income and had to resort to begging for food and supplies. She experienced doubt and loneliness. Here is what she wrote in her diary:

Today I learned a good lesson. The poverty of the poor must be so hard for them. While looking for a home I walked til my arms and legs ached. I thought about how much they must ache in body and soul, looking for a home, food and health.

In 1950, when she started the Missionaries of Charity, this was the mission statement: to care for the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.

She went on to do other great things that inspired the whole world. Thinking about her life was sobering to me. Here is this woman, commissioned by "her heart, belonging entirely to the Heart of Jesus, undeterred by criticism, accepted it (criticism) with a smile and did the work" (Mother Teresa's words, 1980). She owned nothing but a heart to care for those in need. She pressed on even when she had to beg for the most simplest of needs.  I find to be without words, it is humbling. And, here I am trying to decided what shoes to pack.

In no way am I trying to liken myself to Mother Teresa. It just made me think. She was so impassioned by her hearts' call.  Whether I'm packing to move my life to another country or I'm just heading to Haggen, a moment of destiny may be awaiting for me there. Considering that people are the most important gift that we have to enjoy (help, clothe, give a cup of coffee to, listen to, cry with, laugh with), I ponder about the moments that have passed me by. I (we) can get so busy that I (we) can forget that the moment happening right now, will never happen again. If we thought that way, how much would we do differently? We all have something to offer.  Mother Teresa started with nothing but a heart that belonged entirely to the Heart of Jesus and she impacted the whole world.

All of this insightful thinking doesn't change the reality of the fact that I have to pack to leave my "here home'.  But, I have to say that I have been thinking differently. Whether or not I bring that totally cute straw summer hat and the formal wear, I choose to live in the moment, appreciate the gift of people and treat each moment like it is my last. Who knows? It might be.