Sentimental Thrift Journey

This morning I had some errands that were near one of my favorite thrift stores. As I was driving on my way, I was thinking about my list of things to look for. I was thinking about my vow to use what I have. My thoughts turned to my grandmother, who could make use of anything.

My grandfather was also creative and thrifty. He could tell the best stories. I spoke at his funeral and recited Robert Fulghum's Storyteller's Creed:

"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge -- myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts -- hope always triumphs over experience -- laughter is the cure for grief -- love is stronger than death."

My grandparents have been gone for a long time now. More than ten years. Yet, I miss them more today than I ever have.

About two years ago, I had a dream that my grandfather came to my classroom in LA. He was wearing his usual light blue cardigan. Our conversation was as real to me as any encounter I have ever had awake. Unfortunately, I spent the whole dream asking him how he got to LA and if it was safe for him to fly so far. I have prayed so many times to have that dream again so I could go back and really talk to him.

They say youth is wasted on the young, right now I'm thinking I need my grandparents now more than when I was a kid. They lived through the depression. They took financial risks in uncertain times. They weathered more than a few storms. I so wish I could seek their advice and hand holding now, as an adult.

I can easily well up thinking these things.

Anyway, I was thinking all of these thoughts as I drove to my appointment. When I finished, my favorite thrift was closed. I decided not to wait a half hour for it to open. Then I remembered that a new Goodwill had opened on Fairfax and Beverly and decided to check it out.

It was a big, beautiful store chuck full of nice furniture, lots of new things still in the packaging. They had many bedspreads still in the packaging. If I had a house, I could have scored with lamps still in the package. There were a few figurines that I admired. Terrific baskets. I walked around for a long time just taking it all in. I was getting just a bit frustrated that they had so much great stuff that I really couldn't use or store. The store had only been open for a few minutes and the staff was still putting stuff out. On my last lap two things caught my eyes.




My husband is a writer and I have long admired the "Home is where your story begins" sign. I have had it in my hands at a few gift shops only to leave it behind because, "I could make that." For $1.99- I'll just snap it up thank you!

And the book, A Grandparent's Book, my own grandparents filled out similar ones for my brother and I called A Grandmother Remembers / A Grandfather Remembers. My book is a treasure to me. I snatched up this like new version for my own future kids.

So there you have it. I believe these deals were a sign from my grandparents right there at the thrift store.