Kirshner, my backyard squirrel, has gathered all his necessary foods for winter. I know his nest must be full of tasty morsels, which he gathered when the weather was warmer. He knew he would need his stash of goodies when winter arrived. Thinking about Kirshner brought me to the subject of different people and how their particular stashes tell a story. Here are a few examples: Leo loves books. He curates a pile of rare and forbidden books in the quiet corners of a dusty library. His stash is a collection of volumes defying censorship, preserving knowledge the world sought to forget. For Leo, these hidden books are more than paper and ink; they are vessels of freedom and rebellion, safeguarding truths and ideas that challenge the status quo. His stash symbolizes the power of knowledge and the necessity of its protection.
Nina wants always to be prepared for the inevitable 'whatever.' Her collection is one of practicality. As a traveler, she moves through remote landscapes where the next meal or shelter is never guaranteed. Her stashes are small caches of food, water, and first-aid supplies strategically placed along her routes. These emergency supplies are her lifeline, a testament to her resourcefulness and survival instinct. For Nina, a stash promises safety and a beacon of preparedness.
Then there is Max, the musician. He stashes away unfinished melodies and lyrics in notebooks and old cassette tapes. His stash is a repository of creative potential, a collection of ideas waiting to blossom into fullfledged songs. These hidden tunes are Max's private refuge, a place where he can experiment and dream without the pressure of an audience. His stash symbolizes hope and the perpetual journey of artistic expression.
So, Kirshner has his stash of what he needs for his lifestyle. So also do Leo, Nina, and Max. Whether it's a cache of ancient relics, a collection of forbidden knowledge, emergency supplies, or unfinished songs, a stash reflects what we hold dear and seek to protect. It is a testament to the inclination of both animals and humans to gather, hide, and cherish, transforming the simple act of stashing into a tapestry of complex and meaningful narratives.
So, what is a stash? From observation, I see that it is anything we collect or hoard for our own reason and state of being. I certainly have one too, don't you?
When all is said and done, our earthly stashes will pass away, and we must have laid up treasures for eternity. As Jesus told us, 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.' (Matthew 6:19, 20 NKJV)