I went to bed feeling down last night and I am still not my usual bubbly self today.
Last evening, I hauled two big trash cans to the street for pickup this morning and inside one of those cans was a treasure I was finally persuaded to part with. That exalted item was a brand new bike helmet that I bought and its only sin was that it was left outside. Rain, snow, hurricanes – it had seen it all.
Still, it looked as good as the day I bought it at least 10 years ago. It was a big, round, white affair, not unlike the kind astronauts wear. It had a variety of straps and velcro pads and was about the ultimate in modern head protection. Alas, however, maybe because I don’t have a modern head, I never wore it. Still, it was not something I was ready to part with, but I was outvoted at a Summit Meeting of the Family Council, so into the garbage it went.
A couple of times during the night, I resisted going out to the street, bringing my helmet back in and hiding it in the shed. However, I live in fear of sanctions from the Family Council.
Morning came, a big truck pulled up, and it was gone.
Those heartless individuals lined up against me at the Summit Meeting made the point that I don’t actually own a bike. They argued that not having a bike pretty much cancelled the need to have a bike helmet. But I couldn’t follow their reasoning.
This afternoon I sat staring at the place the helmet used to sit and got a bit emotional.
“Goodbye, old friend,” I whispered. “I tried to save you.”
Like always, I save my emotions for the important things in life.
©2021 Jim Hagarty
