Treasure Box

Years ago I bought cigars in a neat little cedar box. Aaron, a little boy at the time, liked these boxes for keeping his treasures. The box held wonderful things over the years like notes from friends, marbles, newspaper articles, random toys, and a few things he wanted out of sight from Mom and Dad. The box was an open book to us. It told us more than once what was on Aaron's mind; what he was up to, what he valued.

Last night a dryer vent issue (small project, big mess for me) took us to Aaron's closet. Seeing his shoes, shirts, pants, ... brought on some hard tears for Cathy. This morning she went back to look at some of Aaron's belongings. Cathy found the Treasure cigar box. Inside was a big pile of Camel cigarette coupons. Apparently if you buy unknown numbers of packs of cigs, the tobacco company rewards you with some free stuff. (Thank you for slowly killing yourself and becoming addicted to a life altering habit by using OUR tobacco.)

Underneath the paper were the real treasures. A badge of COURAGE given to Aaron at Mount Bachelor Academy during one of the life work studies he completed. Aaron's work in that step was to understand that he had tremendous courage which he was not allowing himself to recognize. (The Cowardly Lion of Oz had the same affliction)

The other memento was a crucifix. A part of a rosary which was in our family for maybe 60 years. The crucifix is a hand made wood and metal piece with a detailed figure. The inscription on the back indicates it came from ITALIA. (Not China) I had given the rosary to Aaron long ago. The beads, now missing, were well worn the last time I saw them. Grandma Meyer was a devout Catholic. With a few sons in the armed forces during WWII she spent much time with a rosary and passed the practice on. This particular rosary was likely my Dad's. I always believed he brought it home from Europe in 1947.

Cathy and I felt a peace to get this one more indication of Aaron's values at the end of his life. Aaron was clearly a spiritual person. He talked more of finding his spirituality in nature and less in organized religion. Aaron knew he was courageous in physical activities. He was not always sure he could be courageous in living a life of honor. Aaron knew his work and valued the price he paid for his learning.

It's not always what we announce that tells our character. The discovery of the badge of courage and the crucifix, ranks right up there with a call from the person in the Town of Windsor. This lady invited us over to see the landscape work Aaron volunteered to do for her, without our knowledge, this past April. Good works with no fanfare. Good acts in exchange for peace at heart.

Maybe what we value and keep in our hearts, in our minds, in our Treasure Boxes, carry the most powerful statements about our selves.

Aaron's Dad