Letting go of your things can be both disheartening and a relief. Last week I sold 6 cartons of used books from my collection for $23 at Half Price books in Columbus. Looking at my shelves, one would say I am still book rich. Those volumes gave me hours of enjoyment and took me out of this life.
This week I will once again have my last garage sale. I am cleaning house of lots of vintage decor, antiques, toys, and parts from dozens of incomplete projects started in my retirement. A retirement that included going to garage sales and auctions. My excitement was certainly greater when I carried those newly purchased boxes into the house to explore versus my aching back this rainy day as I carry them to the garage and disposal.
The red Radio Flyer tricycle that the grandkids rode is on the chopping block this year. As is my daughters' now vintage 600 wagon bought at Plymouth Hardware. The small wooden rockers that have satisfied two generations will go. I thought of saving them for the next ones but that's 20 years of storage. Anyway by the time my grandchildren have little ones, they will probably own the couch and run the whole show. It's hard to release ourselves from stuff that reminds us of our journey and those who have passed.
Life changes and we have to adjust or down the rabbit hole we go. Or we can sit still and hope to disappear into old age and life in the home.
Ridding myself of books also includes the Ideals magazines collected by my husband. 100s of them. He loved the nostalgic stories and stylized photos of days gone by. The days of Sunday dinners and home for the holidays.
I've realized that I will no longer fit into the size 12 clothes nor can I lose that kind of weight again. The middle age spread has arrived and is here for the duration barring divorce or sorrow. The clothing rack is sagging with jeans and capris. Plus as I get older I need fewer clothes and more pajamas.
You would think my house looks bare without all the garage sale bounty. Not so. I still paint and draw and read and care for my grandchildren. I will keep rocks and old keys and odd items for them to carry home and treasure.
My first pre sale was to grandson Riley who needed the globe pencil sharpener, a small toy rocker for a beany baby and a 3x5 piece of my artwork. He is like most other shoppers. Just whatever catches the eye. Riley paid for his purchases by doing a few small chores for me. Vera bought her mom a wreath of roses. She still owes me. And Ricky found an old scrapbook in the freebie box.
Then today is May 6 and cloudy with a high of 45 degrees. I am sitting in front of a heater with most stuff inside the garage due to a 70% chance of rain. We opened the doors at 9 am and have had sporadic customers since. We met a nice man from New Washington who listened to Gary's Camaro run and collected Jadite dishes like his grandma had.
Overall sales were slow, I think, due to the weather. In the end I donated 2 Traverse loads of my valuable goods to charity. I am finished with the hard work of sales. Next up is the downsizing auction. Please attend.
My heart is ready to let go of all things. The memory of you is enough and that is slowly fading away.
