Rare Finds in the Discard Pile Having a root canal without Novocaine is arguably better than moving…your own parents.
Today, I write out of satisfied exhaustion- much like that of a child who has finally put their parents in a retirement community and can benignly explain how much joy the regular shuffleboard matches will bring them. However, my parents have not resigned themselves to the “farms” or the “estates” –lovely euphemisms for waiting for your number to be called while enjoying full-service meals and bus trips to Atlantic City. Rather, they have purchased a pre-retirement charming, sunshine yellow money pit. If this “fixer-upper” does not make my mom a young (and attractive) widow, then my parents will continue to enjoy a life-long friendship with “Stephen” and associates at Lowes, who I suspect affectionately refer to her as the “Frenzied paint bespeckled woman with the blue-tooth.”
It had been during the interminable season of packing that my sister and I have stumbled upon cherished treasures masquerading as trash that I have “mistakenly” sent to their rightful home …and then been forced to rescue from the garbage can while subjected to the sentimental recounting of the poignant occasion whereby this trinket was rendered, years previous, by a person hardly remembered. Sigh. Ironically, while my mom succumbs to tears with soap opera frequency, my dad’s eyes only mist during Tobasco abuse. Recently, he “accidentally” returned my family personnel dossier to me with a couple of Father’s Day cards I had given to him. Yeah. That’s right. So, you can probably anticipate who had less to pack.
Fortunately, my parents are beloved, quite literally, by everyone. And if you are not fond of at least one of them, then, you are either a criminal or a jaded ex. It is because they are enviably endearing that so many friends rallied to support their residential exodus- Amish barn raising style (yet with gun toting-cell phone users). In fact, as we were surrounded by their earthly goods- exotic Thrift shop finds, hobbies long forsaken, appalling curios- and a wealth of sweaty, industrious evangelicals, I was reminded of my favorite scene from It’s A Wonderful Life: George Bailey, nearly bankrupt, in his money pit dream home, embraced by those who treasured him most is serenaded with Auld Lang Syne while reading Clarence’s inscription, “No Man is a failure who has friends.” It is just a good thing my parents have so many friends....now off to find the Tylenol.
An Exotic Thrift Store Find-Now Trashed
How bout' this little cutie!
How we all felt at the end of the day 
4 comments:
They have come full circle. They must be thrilled to come back to the area of their hometown, Yet just maybe a bit teary eyed by putting a little distance between them and all of their beautiful grandchildren!!!!!!!Best wishes Always!!!!!!!!! Christine Sorling
loved it! good to see Chelten's deaconesses out in full force. *chuckle*
Great Pics! Love the one of Caid! He looks like he put in some work!
I am sure your parents were so appreciative of your help, Melissa. You are after all, the one I would count on to move us again :)
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