I Want You Back Again

I like my things.  They are like a family to me.  And my children's things, they are like extended family.  Sadly, the life expectancy of these family members is very low, often measured in mere days, and, in some especially unfortunate instances, hours. In our busy lives we sometimes move on quickly after these losses, but right now I’d like to stop, take a breath and properly memorialize some of them. 

Single navy Ralph Lauren sneaker We miss you more than you can ever know.  You know, since you are a sneaker.  You had just joined our family when you were taken from us so abruptly.  Your departure was especially unexpected since you were on my daughter's foot at the time.  One minute you were enjoying a ride on a swing and the next minute you went flying over the playground fence.  Or so I have been told.

Single navy Payless replacement sneaker O, cruel irony, you met the same fate as your predecessor, pushing the limits of fairness.  And credibility.  

White denim jacket Alas you did not make it to first period on the day of your very first wearing.  You disappeared from sight, right there in the gym, before the Pledge of Allegiance was even pledged. Through no fault of the wearer.  Yes, after many visits to the official lost and found and several ad hoc lost and founds (piles of clothes and pencil cases throughout the school) you were eventually recovered, streaked in grime.  You, apparently, had been run over by a motocross fleet.  While we gave you the best sartorial care possible, you never regained your original luster.  So young, so sad.

Light blue anorak You were so adorable. And so flexible – the way you could fold right up into yourself.  You didn’t even make it through your first school day.  Perhaps you folded yourself so small, you became invisible to the naked eye.  Certainly you were not just forgotten in a hallway between periods

Purple plaid lunch bag Oh, you were beloved.  Your purchase had not been planned, but you were the object of love at first sight, and, subsequently, intense lobbying.  A matching backpack was even purchased to keep you company.  And then, one sad day, very soon after you joined our family, you did not make the long trip from subway station platform to subway car.  Helplessly we watched you, scared and alone on the platform, as our train gained speed and pulled out of the station.  There was no trace of you, not even a purple thread, when I returned less than 10 minutes later.  I am sure some lawyer was pleased to find you and give you a good home.  At least that’s what I tell myself.