Someone just asked me what I would take with me if I only had 60 seconds to gather whatever I wanted from my condo without the possibility of ever returning.  Here’s my list:

• my memory cards and film negatives 
• my two cameras
• the photo scrapbook my Mom sent me when I was living in LA and was so homesick I could (and did) cry
• the necklace my friends bought me for my birthday a few years ago.  (I would probably already be wearing it.)
• my purse, which would already contain my wallet and iPhone
• my iPad
• two framed photos: one of my grandfather, and one of Taj Mahal holding me at the Mariposa Folk Festival.  I think I’m about 3 years old in the photo.
• a random handful of scarves that I would stuff into my purse.  I am a scarf addict (I have over 60 of them) and I wear one every single day.  Many of them have been collected during my travels or have been thoughtfully gifted to me and have sentimental value.
• my little elephant stool that I got in Thailand

To tell you the truth, I am surprised at how short this list is.  Even if I had longer than 60 seconds, I can’t think of anything else that I simply couldn’t live without.  It definitely puts things into perspective.