Hiding Things Is Rarely Beneficial

I recently came across an article in which a student found a valuable baroque painting inside an old sofa.  It made me think of something I should write about, the concept of Hiding Things.  I would say that it's usually not a good idea, (with one exception being the hiding of Easter eggs on Easter).  I understand the origins and necessity in te past but it has mostly lost its usefulness today.  Usually, when something is hidden, it is valuable in some way.  It's also hidden so that strangers or even family members, don't find it.  Based on real family experience though, hidden objects often become lost and forgotten objects.  If the hidden things are valuable, they are probably rarely used.  Or, as in the case of the painting from the article, they may be hidden to keep them from enemies, or to preserve them for future generations.  The problem there is a lack of documentation and/or communication.  In either of those cases the person hiding the things eventually dies and the survivors don't know about them or where to uncover them.  So, if anybody wants to hide something, they should write about it in her/his will.  Sometimes hiding things is a de-facto act.  People like me who have lots of stuff end up hiding objects inadvertently because boxes and drawers can be deep.  Then I forget I had something until I move or until I have a clean-up or an organization day.  I have to admit that I do enjoy these pleasant surprises.  I've found some pretty cool hidden objects such as baseball cards, old photos, music tapes, and even clothes.  I suppose a safe deposit box is the way to go when it comes to hiding things.  In this case, more than one person knows about the box and how to get access to the box.  So don't be a squirrel and hide things.  Your nose isn't as good to find them and your memory's not as good as an elephant's to remember them.

+ Atul

Comments

[DanB]

I like the ones where they paint over another artwork and when the painting is being repaired or retouched they find out there is another painting underneath.
Interesting topic.

[Atul]

I think when artwork is painted over, it might be because they think the painting underneath is no good. Plus, the person doing it can't ever expect that it will be found. It reminds me of nice wooden furniture which was painted over with cheesy colored paint in the 70's. My brother restored a great wood in-laid dresser which was under blue paint once.

[chancelucky]

I don't know. Hiding things makes for much better stories.

[chancelucky]

I don't know. Hiding things makes for much better stories.

[Christina Klein]

If no one ever hid valuables, life would be a little more mundane. Like you said, re-discovering your own posessions is enjoyable. Sure, it stinks if you can't remember where you put that hundred dollar bill for "safe-keeping," or you forget about 25k laying in a mutual fund somewhere and it ends up in the hands of the state, as I saw a few months ago in the Wall Street Journal. But then the weather turns cold, you break out your winter parka, and low and behold, there's $100.00 cash in the pocket. Your parka is clearly SO happy to be out of the closet and ready to go out on the town, and you've got a great story to share.

[Atul]

Hiding stuff does make for fun and interesting stories. But then what if you never find that bank account or that $100? Then somebody else gets it. Hopefully it's a descendant or relative who gets it :-)