My work, my writing, my hobbies all seemed so insignificant in the grand scheme of life. Reflection and time can change perspectives, however.
As our leaders urged Americans to resume daily life as much as possible during a great period of uncertainty, I realized that the sheer mental strain of focusing all our energy on a disaster can't be healthy and it certainly won't restore any happiness in our lives. I came to the conclusion that focusing on pastimes could actually be the diversion many of us need right now.
For instance, in an Internet jewelry group I belong to the members recently posted pictures of patriotic jewelry for everyone to enjoy. It gave us a way to honor our country while admiring older jewelry the group enjoys collecting so much.
Seeing all the red, white and blue flags sparkling on my computer screen gave me a great sense of pride in my fellow countrymen who've come together in a difficult time. Some of these were older examples; others were probably worn by patriotic citizens during the Gulf War.
Admiring the "V for Victory" pins dating back to World War II took me on a nostalgic trip to another time when Americans stood fast and fought to uphold their freedoms. A host of other ribbons, Uncle Sam hats and bald eagles of different sizes and materials paraded across the screen bursting with our country's chosen colors.
Of course, thinking about what's happening here and now made me realize that some collectibles my fellow hobbyists seek actually reflect the tragedies of yesteryear.
Whether it's an item from the Titanic or a periodical bearing a JFK assassination headline, keeping the memory of those events alive through collecting pursuits can be considered a continual tribute to those originally involved.
And, as many collectors spend hours combing their favorite shops for military collectibles dating as far back as the civil war, the interesting pieces they stumble upon serve to remind us of where we've been and make us examine where we're going as time marches on.
Sure, some of these things are valuable monetarily, which always comes as a nice surprise when discovered by an unsuspecting owner, but a mere dollar figure doesn't reflect the historical value represented by these items. The original owner saved the piece for a sentimental reason and that can't be measured by an auction price.
As we continue along our individual paths and get back into pursuing a hobby that normally gives us great joy, it might seem a little too fresh to focus attention on collectibles relating to recent events. However, as we continue to heal, we'll find that these actions are far too important to forget. We can't approach the future without considering the past.
So, I urge you to proceed with your collecting pursuits while remembering what we've lost here this week. After all, so much of what we treasure as collectors represents the rich history, both tragedies and triumphs, of the United States of America.
1940s American flag pin photo by Pamela Wiggins
Previous
Features
| 