Ellie Lieberman's Blog: Dusty Shelves - Posts Tagged "treasure"

A Light in the Dark

Barbara Lieberman recently wrote a blog about perspective and framing our memories and moments, how we choose to remember it. As she puts it, “Framing my perspective my way allows me joy in the journey and happiness in spite of pain.”

This also ties to a favorite quote of mine by Howard Zinn: “The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now, as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” The same can be said for how we view the past. And, also what we choose to treasure.

In one of my many works in progress, the short story for the dragon anthology coming out in July 2016, the protagonist, a young and curious dragon, collects a variety of treasure while on an adventure where he seeks a place he belongs. However, the treasure he collects is not the usual gold and jewels expected to be found in a dragon’s horde.

His desire to pick up these objects is not the result of greed or jealousy. Instead, each item is a memento, represents a special moment, a special meaning, or a special person. It’s the light in the darkness, the happiness and the hope. As Barbara Lieberman said in her blog, “It’s not denying the awful. It’s seeing the gift in it.”

It’s why a bottle cap has more meaning than a diamond necklace. It can be seen as why one of the treasures is a scar, because they have lessons in and of themselves and can teach us, even if it’s only the complete opposite of what has actually occurred. And, it is also why some of the other characters treasure the dragon, as well.

What we choose to treasure, and ultimately remember, and how we choose to view it, is what makes it as valuable as it is. It’s like those old Mastercard commercials. My most prized possession, those priceless treasures, include family heirlooms and meaningful mementos from my childhood. My great grandmother’s china doll. My lovey, a stuffed tiger. The ring my mother gave me that marks my passage into womanhood I never take off with the exception of showers, swimming pools, and the ocean.

What are some of your treasures? How do you define treasure?
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Home and Belonging

Home and belonging is a common theme in my books. Whether it's the dragon from A Dragon's Treasure in A Horde of Dragons. or it's Math from Society's Foundlings wondering why what feels like home can't be where he rests his head at night.

For the dragon, belonging is a chain around his neck until a friend tells him, "There's a difference between being someone's treasure and being treasured by someone." For Math, home transforms from a brick-stepped, light-flickering sanctuary where no one can trespass to a hand that catches you when you fall.

Home, what it is and how we define it, changes as we do. It doesn't always look the same, but there are common elements. As Billy Joel sings, "Home is just another word for you." One constant is the people. Those you've known all your life who become more than just family, and communities, no matter how big or small, who become more than just friends. These Shadows, as I like to call them, like Shadow from The Treasure of Ravenwood. Those bosom friends and kindred spirits as Anne of Green Gables called it.

For Jenna from Solving for X it was the memories within the place or the person. The plaid blanket where she and Erik watched fireworks. It was the line of photos. For Erik, it was the smell of salt water and the old basketball courts.

Sometimes home is in the traditions. Mom's coffee in the mornings. Jenna's painting. Decorating for the holidays or Friday night dinners with the grandparents.

And, home can be a place. Where love abounds and there lies a type of safety one can only find in those four walls.

Home for me is a lot of things. It is paint and pencils, notebooks and sketchpads. It is an orange, furry hug. It is a steaming cup of tea.

It is laughter and kisses goodnight by a porch light and under stars. It is a hand on my knee, fingers that tickle mercilessly, and his hat that I wear like a crown.

It is smiles and shared dreams and a hand to hold and a hug I've known since birth. It is my mom. It is a Christmas tree decorated the day after the turkey is cooked. It's dancing and singing Ten Minutes Ago from Roger and Hammerstein's Cinderella. It's Chinese Food for Christmas. It's stories I now know by heart.

It's a neighbor who I count as family. A blessing in the form of fabulousness. Another Pheonix- I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many!

My Fairy Godmother! Filled with as much wisdom as magic. Who could touch dust and turn it to gold. Whose sparkle always makes the day brighter.

It is a goddamn masterpiece. A modge podge worth of 21 years. Home is where I rest my head at night.

I think Sally Fingerette said it best, "Home is where the heart is. No matter how the heart lives. In your heart where love is, that's where you've got to make yourself a home."

What do you consider home?
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