Donating Memories

Do you have nagging chores at your home? Boy I sure do!! One for me was to finally get to and clean out the garage attic space. This is one of those chores.....one that can (and has been) put off for years! It's too easy to just keep stuffing things up there as we have outgrown them or not needed them. Well this past weekend ...it...was...time. I knew it was going to be hard work...and take some serious effort. Hence one of the very reasons it has been left to sit for SO long. What I didn't know was how I was going to FEEL while I was doing the great fall clean out of 2008!! It was more of a process than I ever thought it was going to be. Some things were so easy to let go of....like the boxes of things from previous moves that we no longer needed or even wanted in this our current home. But then came the kid stuff.......mainly toys and papers. Toys from the tot years and things they no longer play with and that they've outgrown. Doll houses, blocks, stuffies and power rangers.....hot wheel cars galore! I kid you not....every item seemed to hold a big memory for ME!! My kids seemed to care less about the stuff..."Oh mom, I'm SO past Barbie," and the boys said the same of their once loved gems. But me....I was the one having trouble letting go. I remember picking out each item.....the time it was given and the sweet joy on the faces of happy little kids! Oh this was Christmas 2000....and that was your 8th birthday..... and here's the little stuffed dog that you wanted SO BAD...that you thought you weren't even getting....that I snuck into the cart anyway to wake up with you on Christmas morning!!! Well I got through the process and it felt good!!! I got teary eyed so many times!!! I really surprised myself!! But I know why.....it's hard letting go. Not of things......but of seasons of life. Toys are almost a thing of the past at my home.....the kids are growing up.... and I am maturing and changing right along with them. I kept just a small box or two of things I would like to give back to the children when they have little ones of their own and a few things to have around when grand babies start to come. So off to Goodwill goes box after box of my memories...their memories....our shared memories. But it really isn't so bad .....as those items are off to go make wonderful NEW memories for other little children and their families. The cartoon Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are some of my favorite Disney movies......here's a clip of one of my favorite parts....it always reminds me of some of my favorite childhood things....my little buddies that shared my youth...my thoughts, my fears, my dreams....oh what sweet times! I have three or four of my friends still with me....packed lovingly in a shoe box in my closet. When I get my office area all put together and my shelving up.....I plan on setting them out amongst the books and other grown up things I now hold dear. These few little treasures seem to have an almost magical quality about them.....they can transport me right back to days gone by. They always bring a smile to my face and JOY to my heart. I'll share them sometime when they get their place in this home. :)