I received this from Beading Daily. I could not find a link, but if someone provides me with one, I will be glad to change this post. Karin

The Amazing Power of Beads

Topic: People and Events

If there was a fire threatening your home and you had only minutes to grab a few things, what would you take? One Beading Daily reader and Beadwork contributor, Cathi Tessier, knows. Cathi was one of the estimated 500,000 people recently evacuated in the southern California wildfires. As of today, Cathi has still not returned to her home–she’s not even sure yet whether there’s still a home waiting for her.–Michelle Mach, Beading Daily editor

October 23, 2007

It was Sunday, mid-morning, when my husband called.

“Quick, pack up our important stuff. We’re going to evacuate. There’s a fire close by.

I live and work for an RV park system, and as employees, we live in the resort in our motor home. Space is tight, and things must be very organized to live 24/7 in this lifestyle. My beads take up a good part of the storage areas. I peeked outside and saw a huge orange sun, smelled the thick smoke, and realized we were in big trouble. With only minutes to pack, I scrambled to sort and decide just what would fit in the trunk of our car.
Image Blocked

A couple of folders with the important documents were the first things I grabbed. For my hubby, a couple pair of undies, pj’s, and two changes of clothes. For me????? Oh boy! Big problem. Four cases of beads, needles, crimping pliers, eight jumbo spools of FireLine thread sizes 4, 6, 8 in black and also crystal. A couple of beading pads, Fiskar scissors, and oh yeah, one pair of panties, a bra, and an extra pair of jeans.

Ready to go.

Three days later, I am sitting among a sea of people in the parking lot of the local stadium, visiting with other evacuees, listening to their stories. No showers in three days, no changes of clothes, horses, dogs, kids everywhere. Tens of thousands of homeless folks, worrying about their homes, their photos, their heirlooms, their clothes. There are tears, hugs, worry, and sadness. I pop the trunk of my car and look at my stuff. My beads are all there. I open some of the boxes, and just look at them.

I ask myself, “What was I thinking? How could these beads, valued at a couple of hundred dollars mean so much to me?”

I can’t explain it. But I’ll say this. It gives me comfort to know they are there. I know that if and when we have a home to return to, I will sit at my dining table, pull out a tube of Delica beads, thread up, and make a little bracelet. It will be my “miracles happen” bracelet. A reminder that life can take a turn in a split second, and if we don’t take the time to smell the roses, or bead the bead, if we don’t follow our hearts and indulge ourselves in our passions, then we are not living.

At this writing I am safe, and while my future is unknown, I take comfort in knowing that although I don’t have my pj’s, my beads are in the trunk of my car.
Image Blocked

Cathi Tessier
Ramona, California

Related Posts

• Reasonable illusion I was talking to a friend today, laughing, and I said, I had been moderately motivated to clean my bathtub. You would have had to have been there. It cracked us up. Really, now, who...
• Troll Beads Pandora Beads Chamilia Beads Beads Beads Beads Do you have a serious love for these little suckers? It can be addictive and expensive. More so if you are into collecting any of the all gold ones. Sometimes it's good to be a...
• The Thank You Campaign A friend sent me this youtube video today. It seems appropriate to post at this time of year, Thanksgiving in America where I live, and while it is directed at thanking the military men and...
• A funny thing happened when beading Well, the best laid plans...and all that. The quartz that I bought is drilled like briolettes, top drilled, not center drilled, so that changed the whole project. Therefore, what I started out to do is...
• Beading: Grace Notes of Happiness I haven't done any beading in a month or so. Life just gets in the way and moreso over the last few weeks than usually. But I came across a quote that I felt I...

Related Websites

• Great Neighbors Help To Make A Happy Home Growing up I lived in the most wonderful neighborhood. There were kids to play with in all age ranges, and the adults all seemed to...
• Selling Your Home? Get Central Heating Installed Before You Go During the recession, adding value to your home any way you can is crucially important. House prices have taken a tumble and it is only...
• What Sucks The Budget Of Working People. The following is a guest post from The Shark Investor You don't need to be frugal at home. Taking short showers and putting energy saving...
• Self Reliance Is A Lost Art I recently read an article on the Legends of Appalachia: The Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center. The Foxfire Museum is located in Mountain City, GA,...
• Living Below Your Means - What It Really Means To Me We often hear the expression to live below ones means. But what does it really mean? And who does it apply to? I was giving...

Online Stores

• Image By Publisher Modern Age 1980-Now Comics Collectibles
• Beads Collectibles
• Southern Comfort Distillery Advertising Collectibles

If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.


Categories:

Arts, Beading, Guest writer, Nature, Opportunity