In the eleven years Jeff and I have been married we have accumulated a lot of 'stuff.' Normally, we drop our old items at Goodwill or call Salvation Army for a pick up. But last month two neighborhood realtors were organizing a garage sale so we thought we'd give it a try.
Today was the big event and it was quite an experience. The girls learned to let go of old toys and clothes they have outgrown. Jeff and I learned that the baby items we held in our garage for the last few years would be treasured by people with little ones to use them. Most of all, I think we all learned that in this media crazy age we live in - where we're slaves to our cell phones and blackberries - where the media would have you believe that everyone is selfish and out for themselves - the majority of people are really good.
We met a man who's two daughters moved home with their own young children. He is helping raise his granddaughters and was excited to find our baby clothes in excellent condition. There was a woman whose husband had lost his job - and their three girls needed clothes. She took home over fifty items. Another woman also found several items, to send to her sister in Brazil. I felt pangs of sadness letting our girls old outfits go, but I had the pleasure of seeing most of the kids who would wear them - and that is sort of a gift.
A young couple from the next neighborhood over purchased our baby gates and bed rails for their baby that was due any day . . .
A young hispanic man with a baby on the way took our plain white baby crib, complete with mattress, mattress cover and lots of bedding. Jeff and I stood in silence as he pulled away with the crib in the back of his truck - but it felt good to imagine how excited his wife would be when he arrived home.
Our whole family was touched by the wonderful people who found so much value in the things we've outgrown. I'm not sure the girls really understood how amazing all the people who visited us really were, but I know they knew it was a special day.
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