Goodwill for All

Taking items to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or the second-hand shop can be a bittersweet experience.  Yesterday’s trip to Goodwill was a little emotional for me because the items that I brought had more meaning than my typical giveaways.

You know the phenomenon that clothes “shrink” when they have hung in the closet for too long? The memories attached to them are some of my fondest but since they do not fit any longer, I have to say good bye. Last fall, when I put my favorite turquoise silk jacket, the long flowing sundress from Nordstrom and various blouses in a special part of my closet, I was hoping that they might one day fit again. I was only postponing my separation anxiety. I take solace in that someone may get some use out of them.

Way back in the garage I’d found my first pair of downhill skis. Could I part with my Hexcel skis I’d owned for over 30 years? My imagination was captivated by the grace of my glory days on the slopes filled with bright sunshine and deep powder. I kept the skis thinking I would one day ski on them again, but over the years I bought newer ones instead.

If you want to be taken back to a more carefree time, dig out your vinyl records and if you are lucky, they still have the jacket covers. My first record player was built into a suitcase like box with a lid, turntable and speakers that you could set up and play anywhere. It may have been a pink Barbie version. When records got scratched, the needle would skip but we kept playing them and singing along anyway.

I thought about the memories attached to all of these items and realized that others would likely make their own happy memories with them. I hope so. It reminded me of this quote, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give away.”

In giving,

Robin