You Can’t Take it with You

A few weeks ago, my mom passed away. She was an amazing woman, blessed with numerous gifts and talents that touched the lives of many. It’s challenging to comprehend the extent of her impact. Recently, we held a service to celebrate her life, and the turnout was overwhelming. Person after person, each sharing a unique connection with her—be it as a beloved schoolteacher, a recipient of her prayers, or someone she supported during tough times—stood up to share their memories. I feel profoundly honored to have called her my mom and was moved by the stories of lives she touched and changed.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:

Proverbs 31:20

Today, I went to the Assisted Living home to collect her belongings. Armed with several boxes, I only brought two inside. It became apparent that many things needed to be discarded, prompting me to request a garbage sack. I carefully folded her clothes and placed them in the boxes, intending to donate them to a charity where someone else can appreciate them. Two apple boxes were all it took to contain her entire worldly possessions. It struck me—this was all she had, all she ever needed, and now she didn’t need any of it.

We’ve all heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you,” but its profound truth resonated with me in that moment. My mom doesn’t care about the stuff she used to collect—the yarn, the fabric, the dishes. Whatever she’s doing in heaven, it certainly doesn’t involve missing her possessions.

The next time you find yourself decluttering or deciding whether to keep something, remember, in the end, none of it holds much importance. You can’t take it with you.