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Show pi pi w 9"ppw' m E2 Mom's old, useless Bible ing the family Nativity pageant. But for some reason, it never displaced the old Bible from its position of honor on To tell the truth, I don't remember seeing Mom actually read her old Bible. As far as I could tell, it just sat on the mghtstand next to her bed. And that was the best place for it, since it probably wouldn't have survived any meaningful usage anywhere else. The black cloth cover was ragged d its pages yellowed with tune. Once I accidentally knocked it off the mghtstand, launching loose pages all over Mom and Dad's bedroom I for my careexpected a tongue-lashin- g lessness (and believe me, that was no small expectation, since Mom delivlike Pavarotti ered a tongue-lashin- g with the practiced delivers an ana precision and stunning power of an artist). But Mom was so busy gathering the pages, gently smoothing them and returning them to their place m the book that she paid no attention to me. Soon after 1 moved away from home.mv sister Kathv and I combined time-wor- n, dog-eare- our funds to buy Mom a new Bible for her birthday. It w as a black leather v twice as big as her old Bible. The pages were tnmmed m gold, and there were maps, references and a complete e, Bible dictionary included within its pages. We even had her name engraved on the front with gold-leaf lettering It w as a beautiful book, and Mom was touched and pleased by it. I remember watchmg her thumb care- through the pages, admiring the quality of the paper and the clarity of the printing From that day on. it was the Bible she took with her to church, and the one from which she read dur fully her nightstand. And that kind of bothered me. I don't know why you keep that ratty old thing, I told her as we prepared to pack it among her most precious belongings for what would turn out to be the last of many relocations this time to the warm, in her life heavy air of Southern California. That new Bible we got for you is the best that money can buy. You cant 0 rvr r pw r"r THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1999 IAROUND1DAVIS CLIPPERCLIPPER TODAY UsBUG SlUGSUl: and v-- strength and comfort when your father was sent to Pearl Harbor during the war. I see the storybook from which I read to all of my children, and the primer from which you all read your first Bible verses. This Bible has been in the family as long as weve been a family! she continued, caressing it through the tat even use this old one anymore! Mom smiled at me weakly and sat on the edge of her bed, carefully wrapping the old Bible in an equally old, equally shabby white shawl. Just because a thing isnt useful anymore, that doesnt mean it isnt valuable, she said softly, deliberately You look at this and see an old, worn-obook. But I see the gift your father gave me on our wedding day. I see the friend that was always there to provide tered shawl. It's part of us, part of our history, part of who we are. So even though it isnt especially useful anymore, there is still value in what it represents. At least, there is to me. Suddenly it occurred to me that she wasnt just talking about her old Bible. We live in an age of fanatically obsessive utilitarianism. even Everything is disposable oddold or If its looking or people. or not particularly useful, toss it out. We forget that1 him, or her there is value beyond utility, and worth beyond whats in it for me nowT When Mom died. Dad gave me her new Bible. Its among my most cherished possessions. Its the Bible I read and take to church. It means a lot1 to me, and it really is beautiful and ' incredibly useful. But Id trade it in a minute for Moms old, useless Bible. ? I even have the perfect place for it: next to bed. on the nightstand my Happy Thanksgiving ut 20 Oz. Assorted 1 1 Liberty Gold Pacific Friend Pinapple Mandarin Oz. can Oranges For Open 9 AM to 9 PM Free Alterations 16 Oz. 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