Free

Haven’t posted much of late, so I thought an update on what’s been going on in my life might be interesting (or not, but if you don’t think so, please keep it to yourself!)

My mother-in-law (who lives exactly 1.5 miles from me, I know because my father-in-law who’s very precise measured it), her neighbor and I held a garage sale last weekend.  I’ve decided garage sales are much more fun to shop at than to host.  I know, a bit obvious, but that’s how I am, someone who makes these realizations later than most.

The company was wonderful, with the exception of hubby’s cantankerous aunt, who didn’t sell anything, but appointed herself cashier (which was fine as none of us wanted the job) and proceeded to bait hubby’s mom about various items she was selling (do you remember when you broke the part to this or so and so’s going to be upset you’re selling that.) 

Actually, aunt-in-law is a wonderful person with a heart of gold.  She gives 110% to whatever she does, and then feels slighted when people don’t recognize her efforts.  Her catankerousness emanates from a deep unhappiness with her life.  When you are around her, you can feel the restlessness.  It’s so palpable, it practically makes your own skin itch with the need to fix, sooth, calm.  I wish she was happier, but as I know well from bouts of unhappiness myself, you can’t make someone happy.  It has to come from within them or they don’t believe it, it doesn’t feel authentic to them.

Our earnings were not too shabby, and we all felt good about various items we gave away to people who seemed astonished and thrilled to receive them.  I had for sale a huge foyer light that came with my house.  Beautiful, just not my taste.  I tried to give it away to various people throughout the second day with no success.  Finally, one guy agreed to take it, only after backing away nervously after I put on my hard sell demeanor (I think he thought I was flirting.) 

After hearing it was free, his eyes widened, he nodded quickly and then took off running down the street to retrieve his truck (the light was 3 feet tall and almost as big around.)  I laughed as I watched his long legged gate zooming away.  The word free inspires the most spontaneously joyful displays of exuberance.  An added plus was seeing my husband’s happiness that the light was gone and he didn’t have to haul it back down to the basement.  It was a heavy sucker!

The day had a sad ending.  Not for me, or anyone involved in my garage sale.  For someone I didn’t know who was struck by a car on Main Street (just three blocks from our sale) while walking her dog.  61 years old.  She had to be airlifted out to a trauma center, and is in critical condition.  Her dog ran away in terror, and the victim’s husband has posted flyers all over town looking for the poor thing.

It got me thinking (uh oh.)  Life is so precious.  You never know when circumstances will change.  Enjoy every minute, I tell myself, even the ones that are trying, because it could all end abruptly, leaving you fervently wishing for what you had before.

Well, on that light note, I leave you for now.