The Pleasure of Giving (Away)
March 16, 2017
The other day I decided that I no longer needed a sewing machine. I hadn’t used it in years and it was taking up valuable closet “real estate”. I was planning to put it out with the trash when I decided someone might find a use for it. So, I emailed our neighborhood list-serve to see if anyone wanted an old sewing machine. I asked that any taker come get it before the Tuesday trash pickup.
I was shocked to hear from eight different neighbors who said they wanted it. A couple had questions like what brand and how old it was. But they all wanted it. So I told the first person who responded that it was hers.
She was thrilled when she saw it. She said they just don’t make sewing machines that last anymore. I couldn’t help but be happy for her.
Later that day, I felt some “seller’s remorse”. De-accessing is tough work.
You'd be surprised by how many things people still have a use for. I was reluctant to offer a shower curtain on the local freecycle list because I thought nobody would want a used shower curtain (albeit washed). That same week, a young man moving into his first apartment asked for one. Much better than putting it into the trash!
freecycle.org
Posted by: Susan | March 16, 2017 at 06:20 AM
What good news! I'm always heartened to hear about people who reuse rather than throw away. Good for you, good for the ecology!
Posted by: Still the Lucky Few | March 17, 2017 at 09:07 AM