Don’t buy me a gift. I have very few things, and I like it that way. The things I have were intentionally chosen. Einstein said everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. Most of my worldly possessions are clothes that can be worn for many different occasions. And there is the boat behind the shed. It is a 10’ kayak which can go almost anywhere with the right paddler. Inside of it is the 7’ fishing rod, broken down inside of its case with the all-water reel. It leans against the top of the upside-down kayak, with the small tacklebox and sleek, sheathed filet knife pressing against it.
Of course, there is my 26-year old Toyota 4runner which I bought for $2000. My friend says that it is “annoyingly reliable”; I think he’s half right. But it sits in the driveway most days, because I’m still pretty good at walking.
There is also the 35-pound kettlebell. It is the only thing that remains of my fitness equipment if you don’t count the rings hanging from the beam in my garage and my 5” nylon shorts (and I don’t). I have a nylon tool bag filled with mostly hand tools, a small Milwaukee impact driver, and a Hackzall®. These last two have handles partially made of tiny high performance 12-volt batteries. These tools are all that is needed to tune up and maintain my modest house, except for my 5-gallon bucket and Milwaukee string trimmer. I have a few books (mostly gifts), but I like the library and I listen to most of the books I want to read these days using the Libby app. That reminds me that I have the obligatory smartphone and wireless earbuds, as well as this laptop that I write on everyday.
Everything else that I used to own was exchanged for cash from friendly and interesting strangers that I had the opportunity to meet through Craigslist.
These things have all been a blessing, but they are nothing in comparison to my amazing family. The best things in life…are free.