As our neighbors helped us unload our U-haul, someone mentioned that the hardest part about helping a Mormon who is moving is all the food storage (so heavy!). Then I started thinking about how so much of what I own shows what I am. Being a Latter-Day Saint is more than where I go to church on Sunday. It is a way of life.  I thought it might be interesting to keep track of some of the things related to my “mormanity:”

• 3 boxes of family history papers
• 1 box of scriptures
• 3 boxes of church-related books
• 4 boxes of church manuals (books of Sunday school lessons)
• 10 boxes of fabric (& a sewing machine I bought when I was a teenager)
• 5 boxes of scrapbooks (& supplies)
• 1 piano, 2 violins, & 4 boxes of church music
• 12 boxes of baby/kid clothes (for all the children I may have someday)
• 2 boxes of 72-hour kits
• 1 box of framed paintings of Jesus (Why would anyone say we’re not Christian?)
• 1 framed picture of a temple
• 1 framed picture of George Washington praying next to his horse
• 1 box of cookbooks
• 7 boxes of non-rated-R-movies
• 8 boxes of canning pots, jars, & a dehydrator
• 52 boxes & 15 buckets of food storage

Many of my LDS friends have four or more children, so the thought of moving twice as much food (or more) sounds overwhelming.  Plus, with all the extra toys and clothing, how would they fit it all into one U-haul?  All of this packing and unpacking reminds me of what Jerry Seinfeld said:

“When you’re moving, your whole world becomes boxes.  That’s all you think about is boxes.  Boxes, where are there boxes?  You just wander down the street going in and out of stores.  Are there boxes here?  Have you seen any boxes?…You can’t even talk to people because you can’t concentrate.  ‘Shut up, I’m looking for boxes’…You could be at a funeral.  Everyone’s mourning, crying around, and you’re looking at the casket.  ‘That’s a nice box.  Does anyone know where that guy got that box?  When he’s done with it, do you think I could get that?  It’s got some nice handles on it.’  And that’s what death is really.  It’s the last big move of your life.  The hearse is like the van.  The pall bearers are your close friends, the only ones you could ask to help you with a big move like that.  And the casket is that great perfect box you’ve been waiting for your whole life.  The only problem is, once you find it you’re in it.”

Hilarious.  They say you can’t take it with you. The way I see it right now, that’s a good thing!