There's something almost sacred about a book, and not just religious books--any book. Until recently, books were the best way to store knowledge, everything that's known to humanity (many think it's still the best way...). When mankind took that giant leap from recording history on rocks and cave walls and began writing on paper, skins, scrolls, and finally, books, it changed the world.
Because books were so valuable, people have been collecting them for centuries. Once a true test of a person's wealth was the size of his/her library.
So why did we load up a couple of hundred books into our minivan and give them away?
It all comes down to space.
Last week I posted (and blogged about...) some de-cluttering activities we've begun at our house. There's an organizing revival that's sweeping the nation and her name is Marie Kondo. She leads a new-age religion of which she's the pope. Books have their own category in her book of scripture. And for good reason. Many of the people she helps have a lot of books...
A lot of books.
Because of space issues, we went though and removed several hundred books from our home. Many were duplicates (you know you have a lot of books when you didn't realize when buying a book that you already had the same book at home...) and most were bought from the same place--our local thrift store--that we donated them to.
Couple of thoughts. I do feel bad that we couldn't keep the books. If I had my way, we'd have a room, about the size of my house, just for books. I know I'd never be able to read all of them, but they would be--because they are now--a treasure. And two, we are donating these books so others can have them. Others can buy the picture and children's books so their kids can learn and read and love the books they way we have. So, even though we won't have them, some other people can and it will make them richer. That's a good thing.
