Between yesterday and today we've managed to get 14 large boxes packed and ready for pick-up. I can't believe I have so many clothes that have been collected over the years. I was especially impressed by the number of old AIG branded shirts I had obtained during my tenure with them. It is not without a sense of melancholy that I sifted through everything and reminisced about memories certain articles of clothing conjured up; but I was kept on task by Brian who encouraged me to keep plugging away. I wonder if I'll regret ridding myself of any of the things I've boxed up. Perhaps one day I'll be looking for a particular shirt and all of a sudden it will hit me that I know longer have it. Sorting and tossing went more quickly than I thought it would. I tried very hard to make quick decisions rather than agonizing over what should stay and what should go. Oh well, it is what it is and the vast expanse in space left behind will be put to good use when Brian permanently moves in. Closet space was freed up as well as drawer storage after cleaning out the dressers. I feel so much lighter already, even though I'm currently surrounded by stacks of boxes awaiting their final disposition. After everything is gone I won't know how to act. I've been living amidst stacks of boxes ever since I moved in here. I was just never able to make myself unpack, partially because I didn't have a lot of space to work with in putting things away. I downsized quite a bit when I moved into this apartment as it is somewhat smaller than my condo was. Actually I should have done the donation thing years ago because I've always had way too much stuff and not enough space, but such is life.
At Jackie's recommendation, I settled on donating everything to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona. Unlike St. Vincent de Paul, Big Brothers accepts everything I'm donating which includes a couple boxes of VHS tapes. Goodwill wasn't an option because they don't pick up and the mountain of stuff I'm giving away is too insurmountable for me to take anyplace. I must rely on the brute strength of those willing to haul everything away and hopefully be grateful for the donation. Jackie donated to them in the past and had nothing but good things to say about the experience so I have faith things will go smoothly. I thought maybe I'd have to wait a while before they'd be able to pick everything up but to my surprise they are able to come tomorrow. The only thing that sucks is that it could be anytime between 7:00am and 5:00pm so I have to be ready early just in case. God knows if I were to oversleep they'd be here bright and early. Conversely, being up and ready by 7:00 will almost surely mean they won't be here until 5:00. Oh well, it's not like I have anywhere else to be and Brian is here for the weekend so I'll have company while waiting for them to arrive. Giving sure feels good. There's so much I'm not able to do in the way of volunteering and such but I feel like this small gesture of giving clothes and some other household items is something I can do. I only hope that the clothes find their way to people who need them. Who knows ... perhaps I'll run into someone one of these days that's wearing something I donated. I guess that's an odd thought but it could happen. Anyway, giving back feels especially good this Easter weekend. It doesn't conjure the same spirit of giving that, say, Christmas does but when you think of that God and Jesus gave up for us all I can't help but feel like my modest gesture has some deeper and more profound meaning. I encourage everyone to give what they are able to, whether it be to a church or an organization of some kind, every little bit helps make the world a better place!
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