ON PACKING

AT THIS TIME of year when goodies and treats are in abundance, you may have read the title and wondered why it states "On Packing" instead of "Packing It On!". 

This weekend my mind keeps returning to luggage and packing.  That may seem silly to you, who thinks of packing during the holiday season?  Well, that is..., other than those who may be traveling home or to a holiday destination...

We have no plans for travel but I can't stop thinking of packing.

Nathan leaves for Argentina on Monday morning and will arrive in Argentina on Tuesday morning.

Before he left here, I helped him pack. 

While we were packing up the belongings that would be his for the next two years, I taught him the art of packing. Oh yes, the art of packing. 

It was a sweet moment when I told him about my father teaching me the importance of proper packing, Air Force style, before I departed for Italy.

All of my things and my two suitcases were scattered about my room, the task seemed overwhelming.  In came my sweet father along with his hard-working hands to save the day.

He taught me proper rolling, not folding.  With every item of clothing neatly and nicely straightened, he began the rolling process.  He assured me that if done properly, they would not be wrinkled when I took them out of the suitcase.  He also assured me that what seemed impossible, fitting all of my belongings into two suitcases, was actually possible!

He, of course, was correct!  And I was amazed!  My dad still amazes me.  He's one of those people you wish would talk more because every time he speaks, it's good...really good.

He taught me where I should put particular items in order to best use the space allotted.  And therefore, gaining more space.  And it worked!

Since that day, I have always packed that way, his way.

So, while helping Nathan pack, I talked to him about how my dad taught me how to pack and that his way of packing totally saved me.

But with Nathan, the experience went a little differently.  We started out with everything around us needed to tackle the task at hand.  Then, he began bringing me items that had been forgotten.  While doing that he became distracted by all of the other things going on around him.  He wasn't staring at me or my wrinkled hands as I did my father.  He wasn't sitting next to me watching in awe of how amazingly well I can fit things into small and tight spaces as I did with my father so many years ago.

So, in the end, I was finishing his packing as he ran around the house from this thing to that, this place to that, this person to that.

I believe he did hear the helpful hints I gave to him.  (If he did, it will save him a bundle when he checks his bags!).

This weekend, I keep thinking of him and wondering if he has packed his bags? 

Did he roll his clothes? 

Did he think of me or my dad as he was packing?  

Knowing Nathan, he probably is not packed yet but he will be done when it counts most, when it's time to leave.

He is smarter than I am so he probably didn't need the packing tutorial the way I did. 

But I love so much that my dad taught me the art of packing, I have shared it with many, many people. 

And I can see him rolling my clothes and carefully placing them in my bags as if it were yesterday.

Now, after writing this, I wish I could pack up and go see the folks!

I know I've shared this photo of Nate with my folks before but I just love it!

Comments

[Karen]

I definitely need to better my pacing arts. I just can't roll them well enough--my clothes always come out of the suitcases with more wrinkles than an elephant.

I'll practice carefully as I pack for California. (Can't wait to get out of this slush!!)

[Karen]

Packing* (I can pace very well, actually.)

[smash]

mom can you teach me how to pack like that or grandpa that would be cool

[Jonathan]

Nathan needs someone to pack for him I think...