More About My Treasures

When I watch Antiques Roadshow, I always wonder, "So...did they sell it or not?"

Sometimes it is a family heirloom, carefully and lovingly handed down for generations--and the owner says, "Great! We can buy that new RV now!" And sometimes, of course, the owner says, "I don't care that it's worth a quarter of a million. I'll never, never sell it. I hope it stays in our family forever."

Isn't that interesting? What makes people hang on to what they hang on to? Why do we treasure what we treasure?

There is a great scene in the other-wise forgettable kids' movie Richie Rich. Richie's parents have been kidnapped by a thief who forces them to take him to their super-duper, high-security, top-secret underground vault where they say they store all their treasures.

Once inside, we see that the vault is filled with treasures, all right--treasures like a broken tricycle, a bowling trophy and Richie's nursery-school artwork. The thief is furious. "I thought you said this was where you keep your treasures! Where is your gold? Your silver? Your stacks of cash and your stock certificates?" he demands. They look at him blankly. Then Mr. Rich says, "Oh! THAT stuff! Why didn't you say so? That stuff is all in a bank somewhere. We thought you meant our treasures!"

Isn't that great? They treasured their things; but only because those things were connections to people.

So let's not be too quick to pass judgment on people who like to keep their things. Sometimes, things are important, too.

For instance, how much would you have to pay me for that Richard Scarry Bedtime Stories book that Mom used to read to me, and I read to my own kids? Or the only birthday card my brother ever sent me? Or that one plate of Grandma Ione's--the only one to survive the tornado?

I could tell you that there is no amount of money that would persuade me to part with any of those. I should tell you that. But the truth is, should the right buyer come at the right time and offer the right money, (And it could happen! I am sure the value of slightly used baby socks won't stay flat forever) I'd sell in a heartbeat.

Really?

Yes. If someone I loved needed the money--and I mean needed, Rebekah. Concert tickets are not considered a need, Dear--then, yeah, it's all fair game.

So I guess it's true, isn't it? I guess everybody really does have their price.

It's all about what--and who--you really treasure.