pack rat

noun
•a ratlike rodent that accumulates a mound of sticks and debris in the nest hole, native to North and Central America. Also called wood rat.
• a person who saves unnecessary objects or hoards things.

In moving from one residence to the next, it's imperative to recognize that purging is as important as packing. Just this season I have trashed a broken fan, a well-worn pack-n-play, several pairs of outdated shoes, too small clothing, bits of trinkets, pieces of toys & many other long held on to items. Many people hold on to things unnecessarily with no purpose in mind. That's a pack rat. To hold on to useful objects that are mendable or simply out of sorts is what us Black Americans call making due with what 'cha got. There's a big difference. Po' folk know the difference. Only the beholder can determine the value based on their particular needs & purposes.

It stings when someone regards your treasure as junk, not recognizing that we all have those collectables that only we deem important for a variety of reasons. As they [do not exist] say, "People are people" & "All around the world same song". Just days before Granny returned to the essence, she gave me an old change purse stuffed with 100 dollar bills & assumably junk jewelry. While the money has been long spent to the good of the family, the jewelry remains as my personal fortune. If it wasn't for Granny - an accused pack rat, eye wouldn't understand the contradistinction.

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