When is Enough, Enough?

The ad read, "Estate Sale, 45 years of accumulated items." It wasn’t exaggerating.

The garage sale was successful and you saved Sweet Al from the hands of a frustrated woman on a determined mission.

A man asked, "Who died?"

"No one died, but one man will, if he puts one more thing back into his garage.”

Another customer asked,  "Is this a Multi-family garage sale?"

“No, it's a multi-garage sale. Seven garage bays full of stuff.”

Another customer said, “It was a long drive, but seeing all this stuff with my own eyes made it worth the drive.”

I saw a man leaving and asked him what he had. He showed me a dead turtle. He said he was giving the turtle a new home. The turtle’s head and feet were petrified from either fright or it had turned to stone.

Another asked, “Where did all this stuff come from?”

“It’s a long story. My Sweet Al can’t say no and his brother said “I do,” four times too many. The newest wife didn't want the previous wife’s stuff. He’d tell Al he had to make his new wife happy so take all the stuff away. It ended up in Al’s garage. His wives were unhappy and are all history. Al’s wife will soon be happy when all their stuff is history.

Our son moved out of the country. We acquired his household items. We were saving it for him, but it’s been in the garage for the last ten years. It’s time to let go.

Al's mother passed away in '92, it took him months to sort through her accumulated things. Too many memories, he couldn’t let go, so they came to his garage.

We sold our home next door. A lot of stuff came to Al’s garage.

Seven ice cream makers were in question. We used to have ice cream socials at our church. I'd pick up a freezer every time I saw one at a thrift store. We have a lot of history of what we did and how we were. But it was another time. It’s not happening again today.

Before the big day, our grandson came by to help. As he carried out a bag of cat food, he asked, "When did Granddad have a cat?"

"Never. He's never had a cat."

He asked, "Where's Granddad now?"

"He's in the bay next door. He's clinging, while we're cleaning. He's remembering, while we're throwing. He’s bonding, but not for long. We’re going to tackle that bay next."

Our children came from California to Pagosa for their vacation with the primary goal to help us. We have spent two weeks sorting through stuff. Our daughter thanked me for getting rid of this stuff now and not waiting until we pass on. Her husband took charge and it wouldn't have happened without him.

Our daughter and son-in-law from Pagosa came to clean up afterward. They did not show mercy. They had moved this stuff for the last time. They made two piles, thrift store and dump. The dump pile was bigger. A big commercial dumpster is coming on Thursday.

Our other daughter used her day off for the sale.  It took the whole family to get the job done. I told them, this is a cause to celebrate. Pick a restaurant. Your Daddy is buying.

The kids thought we should set up a Kodak moment and let customers take pictures of Sweet Al and his junk. Heaven help us all. I hope our lives count for more than this accumulated junk. Thousand of dollars spent at one time or another by people who had to have it.

Final Brushstroke: Every item has a story and is part of our history. Someone is enjoying a part of our family's history and Sweet Al’s wife is happy. It’s a win win. There comes a time when enough is enough.