6.16.2009

flowers and freegans

Clark brought home a beautiful bouquet of flowers last night. I was surprised. As much as I like flowers, they undoubtedly fall under the category of stuff, and, as you know, we don't buy stuff. It was then that my Clark surprised me again. “I stopped by a floral shop on the way home and did a little back alley ‘shopping’.”

“Excuse me while I adjust my girlish notions of romance.”

Ever since the last DD ™, Clark has been doing a little research. Apparently, there is an entire subculture of Freegans dedicated to living the good life while cutting the man out of the equation. The hippie in me is captivated by the idea of non-participation in the traditional economy, but the other part of me - the obsessive-compulsive part - is completely horrified. The whole of me is fascinated by the simultaneous attraction/repulsion I feel on the subject.

Well, the past few Monday nights (see FHE) we have been reading portions of a conference talk and discussing its application in our lives. Elder Robert D Hales teaches that consumerism and debt squash spirituality and limit freedom in every respect. Families can help each other in their quest to be provident. He states:

“When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, “We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don't need it—and we really don’t even want it!

. . . as we counsel and work together in family councils, we can help each other become provident providers and teach our children to live providently as well.”

Clark, thanks for the garbage flowers. It was a thoughtful gesture, not because you dropped some cash but because the flowers are beautiful and you knew I would like them. Thanks for not buying stuff and working with me on our goals.

In case you wondered, this is love, and you can't buy it.

1 comment:

  1. Love it and love you guys. And love love. And can't wait to have that myself someday.

    ReplyDelete