The hallway is lined with bags of clothing I am giving away. Sweatshirts I've lived in and jeans soft in all the best places. Faded and worn and well loved. Washed one last time, folded up, stacked and bagged. A love affair to remember. Sweaters that don't hug as tightly as they once did and skirts that have grown tired of my body. Dresses shrunk to my size but with straps that slip off my shoulders and hems that hit too high, too low. I am their afterthought - a halfhearted second chance.
I have been holding on too long.
I tell her I don't want to throw away what I have. What if, what if, what if... this is the best I'll ever have? She says to ask myself: "Do they enrich my life?" And reminds me that my old and tired and misfit could be someone else's lifeline. Someone else's everything. I think of those I can't love anymore and those I never loved enough. And second chances. For all of us. If I let go...
I pack them up and bid them farewell.
My thoughts on your posts:
ReplyDeleteIt's like you take the messy, clumsy thoughts in my brain I can never seem to conceptualize and organize them, swaddled in the best paper, with the best ribbon, addressing the beautiful package to the world in the best handwriting. Can you just read my mind and write my blog for me?
Yes, the above paragraph was two sentences. In case anyone thought I didn't realize.
My thoughts on your posts:
ReplyDeleteIt's like you take the messy, clumsy thoughts in my brain I can never seem to conceptualize and organize them, swaddled in the best paper, with the best ribbon, addressing the beautiful package to the world in the best handwriting. Can you just read my mind and write my blog for me?
Yes, the above paragraph was two sentences. In case anyone thought I didn't realize.
Good luck on the packing, moving, donating. Proud of you and your new adventure that lies ahead. Be strong, be daring, be.
ReplyDelete"Be strong, be daring, be." I love that, Brooke. My closet doors are mirrors, and if I can find those markers that wipe off easily (remember those?), I'm going to write that on the doors. XO
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and your writing and your two sentence paragraphs and most of the time I think you are reading my mind, so you should totally keep doing all of those things. =) Also, your comments make my heart warm and fuzzy. Knowing you are reading and enjoying is one of the best things ever (seriously). Sending you hugs!
ReplyDelete