People vs. Things

As I scooted off my seat trying to latch on Kylie’s car seat back into position, I heard an unsettling cracking sound behind me. Sure enough I had pressed against the back of the driver’s seat pouch with my rear and damaged my expensive polarized sunglasses which I’ve had for less than a year. I felt exasperated because it was the best pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned in terms of style and vision. How could I be so careless?

I knew Erik would be annoyed because he is financially minded and he paid a good amount of money for the sunglasses. He said I should think before I act. Then I could have avoided ruining the sunglasses. I snapped that I was losing my mind due to sleep deprivation and therefore could not think properly.

What’s more important: people or things? Most material objects we use today are not made to last forever. Cell phones breakdown after two years. We need to buy new cars every seven years or so. Women perpetually buy shoes and clothes. Sunglasses are misplaced about once a year. So why get so upset over things, especially at people? Things can be replaced. People cannot.

We got home and Erik took Kylie out so I could take a much needed nap. When they got back, I asked where they went and I found out that Erik went to the see if he could buy me another pair of the exact same sunglasses. Although the store didn’t carry them anymore, I was deeply moved. He cares about me more than money.