From Those Who Come From Keepers: A Small Rite For Things That Are Ready To Leave

Often have I felt the pull to not let something go — items I have loved a long while. I come from a line of collectors, tinkerers, antique dealers, peddlers, refurbishers, DIYers, rebuilders, and — dare I say — hoarders. Growing up with little new things on hand, it is hard to toss something out when you hear “I might need that someday,” or “someone I know might need that someday.” My folks’ house is a dusty museum of curiosities: three sets of crutches, an old yellow leather wheelchair, a variety of rims — some rusted, some chrome — parts for cars fifty years old and older, farm equipment from way, way back, a vintage cast iron and enamel stove, a velvet lavender fainting couch, and a big yellow wood box holding twine and a length of rope so large it looks like it came off a ship, tangled in among so many other tiny things.