Throughout our lifetime, we see many ‘shared’ experiences. We are always saying either “Hello” or “Goodbye.” The world turns, people and possessions come and go. Those are facts of life we all have in common. “Hello” is usually a pleasant experience, meeting with old friends, making new friends. However, saying “Goodbye” is a totally different game. Goodbye is so final, signaling the loss forever of something or someone you love and want to keep in your life. There are not many constants in our lives that we can easily let go of; beloved family, memories both good and bad, and material items we have held dear in our lives and treasured. Some do not understand the love of a material item. Actually, it is the memories surrounding the item that we treasure every time our thoughts and sight linger over our keepsakes.
I have always disliked saying, “Goodbye,” especially to loved ones that I know I will never see or speak to again. I know I am not the only one to feel so, anyone with emotional feeling would. Quite a while back, I dropped the ‘good’ from goodbye. There is nothing good about it! I still remember saying, “Bye, I’ll see you later,” to both my parents and other family members when I was given the chance to do so. Those experiences are the hardest, saddest, and loneliest as we all have to travel that path of saying goodbye to someone we love, people or our pets we so adore.
Material things are different. They may represent the love toward those you have lost and just seeing these items brings you closer to the departed. Pictures are my #1 treasures as they hold the image of someone I had to let go. Baby and childhood pictures bring back the love of raising children, hopefully to adulthood, to be strong, useful members of society. I surround myself with pictures and collected memories from my life.
Recently, I said “goodbye” to my parents’ vast record collection. My parents were responsible for my love of music. Every night, unless my army dad was away, music played in our house and everyone danced, including my brother and I. In a previous column I wrote about dancing between my parents as they danced, my feet planted upon my daddy’s feet – a wonderful memory.
The music to which we danced came from their large record collection, which I inherited. This collection (packed into boxes) has remained with me over the years. I am afraid to store them due to heat or cold, instead the boxes have always traveled within my sight.
I have never re-listened to these records, I just knew they were there, holding my memories. Now comes the time in my life where I need to slim my belongings down. I’ve pondered what to do with the records, where could I find a home for them where someone would appreciate their sentimental value?
Years went by until recently I spotted an ad in a neighborhood website of someone searching for old vinyl albums. When we are faced with an emotional change that is disturbing, if we set aside taking action at the moment, if possible, the right time and solution will present itself! The time felt right to let go of my record collection. Within two days, I met a nice young man who took over my boxes of memories, over 300 records! I’m happy and I believe he was happy to obtain my record collection. Now, my parent’s music will play on and be appreciated.
What a nice ending to what could have been a sad goodbye. A friend of mine said to me as I relayed my story to her, “I’m so glad you found a home for all those records, but I’m especially proud of you for letting go!” She has known me a lifetime and knows that ‘letting go’ is not one of my fortes.
Each of us faces letting go in some way daily, some harder than others. When you face the time to let go, you will know. Make the transition easier for yourself, JUST DO IT!
Jimmie Batchelor is retired from Henry County Senior Services in Stockbridge, where she managed Hidden Valley Senior Center and resided for 38 years. She uses her newfound time writing and enjoying life!
