(Removal)
I am officially done with removals. Number “100” was (many) years ago now, and supposedly the last (HAHA). I am available for consultation and driving…
At least that’s been the party line for a while.
Unfortunately my mum has now been moved into full-time care, and one of the many upshots of that is a houseclearing which I cannot excuse myself from.
Even though this has been on the cards for a while, and is unquestionably the correct move for all concerned, it still carries a sense of finality. Her housing association single flat has never been my family home, but traces of “home” survived the several removals to this point.
An old Readers Digest encyclopedia (volume 3*) that was the “internet” of my youngest childhood, strikes a very specific chord and escapes charity donation to sit on my own bookshelf. A font of disproved science, outdated biology, and archaic usages on the edge of extinction.
In the lexicon of “removals I have done”, it’s fairly trivial. Having seen this day on the horizon, most of it is packed, many things are already away, and charity collections are coming for several larger items. Not only that, I have both sons, and it’s ground floor!
How hard could that be?
Followers of this blog will be aware that “how hard could it be?” generally does not have the answer “easy as pie”.
The heavy objects are not numerous, but there are a lot of loose odds-and-ends, (another drawer not emptied?), occasioning multiple small trips, and there are several drop offs, so, much parking and – with my long wheel base Transit – dismounting to see how much space there actually is (non-driving sons are of limited utility for this).
After years of van driving (removals plus Dalmallyfests), I am taken by surprise; it is not the lifting that beats me. It is the big step from the high cab, and the impossible step into the body. My knees refuse to deliver the Tigger-like bounce, required to descend, and getting into the back (carrying anything), is a step far too far. By the days end, I am struggling just to climb in, to drive the van home.
How the mighty are fallen.
Next week on IaDL: How do I get back my bouncey bouncey fun fun fun! ?
* It was a dictionary/encyclopedia, volume 1: A-L, 2: M-Z, 3: collected sciences, mythology, literature and esoterica.
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 