Junk

Not Dan's junk...but could it be yours?

Who was it who said One person's junk is another's treasure? As you know by now, we are in the process of another, probably final, earthly move. And downsizing somewhat with no garage, basement or attic to store both treasure and junk. That means two things: decisions and senior moments galore.

Is it easier to do this alone or with a spouse (and/or family) nearby? You can answer this because I won't, OK? My wife and I are approaching our 57th wedding anniversary. Needless to say, we have many things stored away in closets, storage room, garage, under the bed, in drawers, filing cabinets and elsewhere. Some things our kids want. At times they hinted their wishes (both are 600 to 1,000 miles away).

True, some things are usable but worthless so we think of them as junk, not treasures (but might be to somebody else). I began to downsize my library twenty years ago. So far, I have given away 24 boxes of all kinds of books. I can't think of most books as junk (unless they never should have been published in the first place). However, all the books have been given to organizations who distribute books, both secular and religious, to missions overseas where they are treasures, not junk.

We have things from Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East where we either lived or traveled. Fortunately some items have already been designated. But not all. Some of these, together with other items, have found a home where they resell and give us a receipt in lieu of cash.

And yes, the dumpster also has been kind to us (and I suppose to a few seekers). We have the pleasure of assistance by an expert who knows our furnishings and our future floor plan and decides what will fit into our new home. But are the leftovers junk or treasures (or somewhere in between)?

Ah, yes. I remember when I could move everything I owned in an automobile. Not any more. On occasion, I go to my wife (and she to me), with that agonizing dilemma: junk or treasure? Of course we don't always agree so we flip a coin rather than quarrel senselessly even though one of us may be more euphoric than the other.

When all is said and done there is that inevitable discovery: we took too much and no place to store it. So, the search continues for a nearby Good Will organization or its equivalent who either smile or frown as we cross the threshold. The feeling is mutual as we either frown, smile or do neither.