FOUR HOURS OF LOVE
… what is left after the sale
Sunday Apr. 20, 2014
This morning I can report, there is afterlife.
Still unsure about people.
But certainly, for their possessions.
Like my dad’s condo yesterday – garage sale.
Prices?
Inanely low.
$1 items, $2 items.
Free ones.
Box of things, $1, sets of dishes for $5.
First two hours – nearly everything small dispersed, leaving ½ furniture items unsold.
Next two, most pieces had new homes, new owners, fresh histories beginning …
Some, forgettable moments.
Some, unforgettable.
Some, hilarious.
Some sweet, some only make me cry.
I could have dumped everything. Like rubble.
Or asked some charity to box it, haul it.
Both, far less complicated.
My back wouldn’t hurt from four hours minding the store.
$212 proceeds? Not important.
Those experiences?
Priceless!
Eventually, few ‘free’ items left, 5 items unsold (pricey items – power lift chair, walker, power wheelchair. I didn’t count on selling those). I’ll advertise them on kijiji.
People came, to introduce themselves, to remember him.
Some came to snare bargains, some to peek at his place (very few ever invited – he was private that way).
Not everyone.
Many stopped by to visit, to reminisce about my dad, to meet the son of the father. Some to find out what I was doing with his condo, some for a memento of my dad – a dish or a pan, ornament or a toaster, taking away pieces of him.
Strangeness.
Elegance.
Humanity.
Kindness by some, simply snatching bargains for others. His daily life things – coffee pots and dishes, and furniture.
Things and memories – like money – to be most valuable, need to be kept in circulation.
Each piece gone out that door left something behind, more emptiness …
Mark Kolke
198,512
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: 8C/47F, cool breeze in my face, warm sun on my back – a long (bare & dry) walk around the big loop. Gusta particularly well behaved, not yanking me off in every direct, came back relatively un-mucked.
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
Hi Mark: In my experience, kindness is a decision. And it's a powerful one. I decided to be kind to my alcoholic husband even when he wasn't particularly kind to me. Within a few weeks his attitude towards me changed, we healed our relationship, and it's been fine for four years. I now know I am the leader of this pack. I got there through the power of the decision to be kind at any cost. There is evidence that kindness changes the physiology of the person (for the better) receiving the kindness, the person delivering the kindness, and incredibly, the person witnessing the act of kindness. I urge you to decide to be kind. Cheers!, SG, Calgary, AB
