Copyrights reserved by the author. If you are in doubt, please click on 'Copyrights' and read the details.Learning to let go of those favorite things By J. G. Fabiano There I was, sitting on the steps that led out into my garage from my house once again late and trying to make up time by rushing through things that never should have to be rushed through. I grabbed my favorite pair of black Rockport shoes, put them on my feet, and quickly attempted to tie them tight. By the way, they are my only pair of black Rockport shoes. Wouldn't you know it, one of the laces broke. This is not the first time because looking down I saw multiple knots attempting to keep the lace in working order. But, this time was the last time. There was no lace left to tie. When I am I going to learn to let go of those favorite things in my life when they finally wear out or break. Sitting on the steps understanding that my first period class would once again have to survive without me I pondered other things in my life I should throw away. Looking around my garage I saw things I should have thrown out years ago. In fact, since many of these things came from my father of which he probably got from his father I hypothesized they should have thrown them away before they ever got to me. On the far wall of the garage hung a shovel that used to be a tool I actually used. I say this because most of the blade of the shovel rusted away decades ago. I have no idea as to why I keep this thing other than for the fact it came from my father. Last summer I actually attempted to use the tool to turn my garden. All I did was twist the blade and almost break the handle that must have generations of bugs living in it. Anyone else would have thrown it out but I opted to put it back in the corner of my garage where one day it will evolve into a pile of sawdust and rust. There are so many things in my life that should have hit the landfill years ago. Attempting to tie a knot in a shoelace full of knots I notice the belt I was wearing. I also noticed the buckle of the belt was held together by the metal ties one finds in most garbage bag boxes. Years ago I peeled off the paper around the metal wire in order to fix a belt I had since college. The wire was almost rusted through but I didn't care because as soon as it broke a new wire would be found. My belt also gave a history of my waste line. When I gained weight I had to use a screwdriver to add more holes. I had to do the same when I lost weight. Today I am in the neutral zone using the holes of the original belt. Since this time my wife has bought me many new belts that are hanging in my closet but I still use the one that has kept my pants from hitting the floor most of my life. Sitting on the garage steps clearly understanding my shoelaces were no more I started thinking about other things I should have discarded years before. My combination bathing suit, shorts, and pajamas came to mind. I have an entire drawer full of these that crystallized years before. I even have my original college shorts I wore over three decades ago. The logo is long gone and so is most of the crotch. Since it was a bathing suit the inner liner still barely exists. I don't wear these out anymore for obvious reasons. I have string-less bathing suits, frayed Bermuda shorts that shrank to the point of almost becoming mini-shorts and pajamas that were originally bought for the winter months but because of wear and old age they can only be worn during the summer. I am a great collector of baseball caps. I not only collect them but I wear them all out and never throw them away. My favorite is my old University of Maine baseball cap. It is totally faded and it looks as old as it is. It fits perfectly on my head and covers what was once covered with hair. It used to be blue. Now it is the grayish blue color of the ocean in the winter. This is because during the summer months I dipped it in the ocean in order to cool off my head. I sincerely believe it liked the ocean almost as much as I did. I think the stitches are all gone. In fact, I don't know how the thing stays together. My wife will not allow me to wear it out with her. If I do she makes me take it off before we arrive at where we're supposed to be. A few months ago my daughter bought me a new summer hat. I think it said Calvin Klein. My head was not meant to be covered by anything that said Calvin Klein. Needless to say she is now wearing it. I guess there are many reasons I don't throw things away that have been with me for much of my life. Sitting on the garage steps still attempting to salvage my shoe laces I came to the realization I don't throw things away because it would substantiate the fact I am also getting old and one day will also have to be thrown away. The End.
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