39 Gallons

Posted on August 5, 2005 - Filed Under Housing |

For my giant weekend of packing, I was working in my closet.  This filing cabinet, which I’ve had for years, was blocking my way so I tried to move it.  That thing weighed a ton!  I decided that it was time to put my brand new, super turbo charged paper shredder to work.  I reached into the back of the cabinet where the folders hadn’t seen daylight in quite some time.  What I didn’t expect was to be reaching back into my history.

The first folder I opened was from my first car I leased after college.  My brand new Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme.  There was a repair bill for the side view mirror I broke off while picking up some girl to go swing dancing class.  The past due notices I received because GM wasn’t sending my bills to me in California after I moved here.  That was weird.  They would send the bills to my old address but every past due notice arrived in California.  Well, that’s GM for ya.  My return slip which I received when I dropped my leased car off . . . I was happy to get rid of that lease!

Another folder had all my time cards and pay stubs from my first engineering job.  That was 10 years ago.  My time cards signed by the coolest, if I can use that word, group of engineers to work with.  Dave, Jim, "Leiden-tosh", Dallas . . . I hope they’re all doing well.

I found my lease from my apartment in the old folks home there in Saginaw, Michigan.  I lived there for 4 months before moving to Cali.  Also found the letter that said I was forfeiting my security deposit because I was breaking my 12 month lease there.

One folder had every single letter or note every girl I ever dated gave me.  From high school until the end of college.  Even the break-up notes I kept.  I certainly hope they’re all happy and doing well.

Another was filled with paycheck stubs from my Long Beach days.  My "accomplishments" folder had every single promotion I had received along with the official notification letter.  More than one failed "business venture" was in there also.  Those were some crazy ideas!  My very first credit card in college with a $500 limit.  Paperwork for my concealed weapons permit.

Tonight, I shredded 3 thirteen gallon garbage bags worth of stuff.  And it is tightly packed garbage bags.  My past was shredded down into a couple of plastic bags, destined for a recycle bin.

I spent a great deal of time, thinking about where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing.  I guess in a way, it’s fitting that I chose this night to go through my history.  I’m starting a brand new chapter in my life and like any good author it’s always good to go back and reread the previous chapters from time to time.  And tonight was my night for doing that.

It may be the muscat I’ve been drinking, but I started considering my friends.  Those that I’ve known for quite some time.  Those that had babies, those that are having babies or will have babies . . . those that moved to New York and left me by myself!  Friends that have gotten married and moved on.  And I realized that this is the year of change.  I can’t think of any one friend who isn’t (or hasn’t) gone through a major change this year.  And now I’ve joined their ranks.  A smile crept across my face as I glanced over at the 3 bags of history . . .

The best has yet to come!

If you liked that post, then try these...

Strides on September 24th, 2005
There are reasons why I am not an interior decorator.

Certifiable on May 30th, 2006
.

Comments

Leave a Reply