Patrick’s B-Day

Paul — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:41:38 +0000

My son Patrick was born exactly 19-years and one-hour ago.

I miss him. He’s traveling in Arizona.

Me and Things

Paul — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:02:28 +0000

I have too many things. I’m overwhelmed by them and of the thought of having to once again, this Spring, go through them and have another yard sale. Of the boxes stored in attic, basement and closets, some are filled with memories. And of the memories, not all of them are worth keeping. I need a quick and easy method for deciding what to keep, sell or toss. There might be a catch.

There are things stored I haven’t looked at in ten years. With the exception of my son’s childhood toys and books, until I confront some forgotten items, I can’t say how important the memory attachment might be. Somewhere is a puppet stage and a bunch of puppets. I made the stage and bought the puppets, but my son only used it a couple times. Why do I still have it fifteen-years later? Well, not out of sentimentality. I was proud of its design and portability, but there’s something more.

With the puppet stage, as with other long stored items, they hold the only physical record I have to particular period of my life. The same holds for an old roll of blue-paisley wallpaper that I used to remodel my son’s baby room. An itemization and explanation of each and every would be exhausting, but it’s exactly what I’ll confront as I go through boxes. So, you see, the task goes far beyond the just the physical process of moving boxes around. The real work is all in my head.

Have I developed an unhealthy attachment to things I’ve instilled with a sentimental value? Am I holding on to memories that need to be allowed to fade? I’ll have to ask myself these, and other questions as I pull boxes out of storage and sort through them. It’s a task only I can do. It’s just me and my things.

El Mundo de Pablo

Patrick’s B-Day

Me and Things