"Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same
There’s a green one and a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same." (Malvina Reynolds)
The first time I heard these words to the song "Little Boxes" I felt it was the most annoying song I had ever experienced. Like many annoying things, it grew on me over time. I like the idea of little organized boxes, each one the same size and shape. If life were like the song, we would all have little boxes made of ticky tacky. We could compartmentalize everything! Work, housework, appointments, children, husbands and or wives, would all have their own little color coded box. When needed, we could just put one box up and pull another off the shelf. Work life and home life would never collide. Appointments would never overlap. Memories could be kept on shelves with lids tightly affixed.
In my mind's eye, I see the shelves perfectly lined up. The boxes are exquisite. Each one in its own little place. It is a sight to behold. I reach up to pull one off the shelf. It's like Christmas, because I don't know what is in this one. The anticipation builds as I lift off the little lid. Oh...it's the birth of my daughter. That was a wonderful day, one of the best. As I slide the lid firmly into place, I see another box. I carefully place one box on the shelf and remove the other. The lid is tight on this one. Determined I pry the lid off. Oh...this one is sad. A wave of emotion washes over me like a deluge. I am drained. I linger over this box... almost as though I enjoy the feeling of angst. Maybe if I don't put the lid on quickly, the memory will escape. Unfortunately, this is not Pandora's box and the memory remains in the box swirling and whirling before my eyes.
I love for things to be organized; a place for everything and everything in its place. However, I am a realist. I know that the organized shelves with all my ticky tacky boxes is a mirage. In actuality, there is a mish mash of information, memories, expectations, requirements, and emotions. This leaves me feeling overwhelmed at times. My heart races, I can't close my eyes, I feel trapped and anxious. I close my eyes again and see the boxes all lined up and organized. I open one labeled "beach" (the greatest ones are labeled!) I am immediately transported to another time. All of a sudden, life doesn't seem so bad.
