They Didn't Know What I Could Carry

I’ve been hanging on the wall on the inside corner of the closet for about 3 years now.

No one has reached for me in 1097 days…

I think I still look good. 

I mean, my skin is still smooth, maybe just a few tiny cracks here and there.

 But overall, I still look good.

Not only have I been around for a while, but I’ve been on my fair share of some nice little adventures.

I worked real hard, if you know what I mean.

I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t show a few signs of aging after all that.

I’ve definitely proven what I’m worth, and I know she knows it, too.

That’s why I don’t get it.

You should’ve seen me a few years ago.

I was the go-to, favorite of the pack.

I won’t lie.

I wasn’t the biggest or the fanciest.

But let me tell you.

I was small but MIGHTY.

And I did it all while looking sharp in my fuchsia leather skin.

How I still kept my shape after all that she gave me is definitely still a mystery.

And believe me.

She fed me all kinds of things.

I swallowed wallets, sunglasses, baby wipes, toy cars, cellphones, crayons, lip balms, goldfish, mini water bottles-you name it, I held it.

 And I somehow always found room for one more thing.

People underestimated me.

They didn’t know what I could carry.

I did what I was meant to do and served my purpose.

I guess you could say I’ve had a good life so far.

Let me tell you.

I’ve bumped against playground swings.

I've rested on church pews and on laps.

I've even rubbed leather with the likes of Gucci and Prada.

I may have faded a little in the sun while the children jumped around for hours in the summer waves, but it was worth it.

I’ve been tugged, zipped, dropped, and hugged by tiny little hands.

Hands that were sticky.

Hands that left fingerprints.

And, you know what else?

Hands that grew bigger every year.

There sure have been a lot of memories.

Too many to count.

I remember the time I became a pillow for the little one when he fell asleep on the park bench while she sprinted to catch the other one just as he came flying down the slide.

Or what about the time she dug around for that crumpled twenty-dollar bill and ended up with bright orange, crusty fingers instead?

Ahhhh- those sneaky little goldfish somehow escaped from that half-eaten bag and decided to crumble into dust, and just made themselves at home in the cracks of her wallet.

That was a little rough… but we got through it.

Just like all the other times.

What is it? 2000 days now?

Still hanging on this hook.

I did catch her taking a few glances at me the past few days.

Is she missing me?

Oh, just take me out already!

I know I’m a beauty to look at, but I’m not meant to be hanging on this wall like a piece of art.

I’m meant to go places and do things.

By golly!

I think she heard me!

She’s finally taking me out!

Maybe this is it.

Maybe we’re finally going somewhere.

WOW!

It feels so good to be OUT!

Okay.

Sitting on the dresser for now is good. 

Better than the closet.

Where did she go though?

Oh, she came back with her phone.

Is she taking pictures of me?

She’s walking around looking at me from different angles.

I think she’s happy to see me.

Wait-she’s pointing her camera at me.

Snap.

Front.

Back.

Side.

Bottom.

I have to admit...

I’m so flattered.

She even took a picture of my backside.

I STILL got it.

Ooh, she just scooped me up like the good ol’ days.

Are we going out for coffee...

Or to church?

Or maybe the beach!

Oh, okay. 

The front porch chair is okay, too.

More pictures?

O-K…

We need pictures outside, too, huh?

She’s taking a break already?

What is she doing?

Oh, there’s a woman and a little girl running around on the grass.

They’re laughing and chasing each other.

Is she looking at them?

I remember those days.

Hmmm….

She's just standing there…

Watching them…

Does she know them…?

Oof- I guess we're going for another ride.

Back in the house?

Is she…wiping or rubbing her eyes?

And her nose?

Wait.

Whoa there.

Why is she wrapping me in tissue and putting me in a box?

I’m confused.

Now, she’s walking away again.

What is going on?

She’s closing the box

Uh, it’s kind of dark in here.

Hello~

Wait, I hear her.

She’s taking me out of the box.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Phew.

It’s so much better out here.

What was THAT all about?

Oh, she’s putting me back in the closet.

What is happening?

*****

I think it's been like three weeks since she put me back in the closet.

I keep seeing her pass by and sometimes looking in.

Wait-is she coming to get me?

I think she’s coming to get me…

Yesssss.

We’re getting out of here.

Oh, she’s putting me on the couch and sitting right next to me.

Nice.

Oh, there’s good ol’ Mr. Handkerchief.

I remember him.

Hi, Mr. Handkerchief.

She’s taking out her phone for something.

What are those…?

What’s that she’s watching on her phone?

Hey, I remember that.

The Easter egg hunt at church.

The Fourth of July picnic.

They’re chomping on the watermelon.

And look. There’s me!

Ooh, the birthday party on the lake.

They’re splashing each other and laughing.

She’s smiling.

Is that the train ride at the pumpkin patch?

Yep.

There they are.

Picking their pumpkins.

With their little hands…

Wait a minute now.

She has water in her eyes.

Ah, look at that snow…

Is she watching a whole movie or something?

Hey…

I’m in most of those pictures.

I mean, not in every frame.

But…I’m there.

With them.

We’re all there…

Together.

In every season.

She’s putting her phone down now.

I guess that’s the end.

Wow…

That was… a lot.

Aww.

She’s resting her hand on me.

And looking at me…

With those eyes…

“Thank you…”

Thank you.

Thank you?

Hmmmm….

She’s wiping her eyes again…

Is she…okay…?

She’s just sitting and closing her eyes.

She hasn't put me in the box yet.

Is she gonna put me back in there?

*****

She picked me up again.

Where to-this time?

She’s taking me to the table near the front door.

Ding-dong.

Who is it?

It’s the lady from the other day.

The one playing with the little girl.

There’s the little girl.

Right there next to her.

She’s staring at me.

Oh, they’re coming into the house.

Uh-oh.

Here she comes!

Oh!

Those tiny hands!

They get me every time.

Never gets old.

Wait, what’s she saying?

“Pretty! Mama! Pretty!”

Well, you can’t say she doesn’t have excellent taste.

The two ladies are going into the other room.

Are they looking for something?

And the little girl is now squeezing me and putting her face on me and hugging me.

Okay, they're coming back.

Thanks for the hugs, little one, but it’s time to put me down, okay?

“Mama! Pretty! Mama, pretty!”

You’ve got a strong tap, little one.

“Oh, sweetie. Yes, it is very pretty. But that’s not ours. We need to leave it here. Let’s give it back to the owner.”

The owner!

The owner.

She’s not just the---

My owner.

I mean…

She’s…

You're...

You’re more than that.

Do you know what I mean?

Wait-what’s happening with your face?

It looks like you’re smiling…?

You look…different.

Do you see her hands holding me so tightly?

Phew.

Finally, you’re walking over.

Please tell her how it is.

"You know what? This was my special purse for a very long time. It went everywhere with me. I took really good care of it because I loved it so much.  But I think it’s time for it to have a new home… Do you think you can help your mom take good care of it?”

The little girl is nodding, and her ponytail is bouncing up and down.

What…just…happened?

Her mom is saying something.  

“Oh no, that’s okay. We couldn’t take something that means so much to you.”

You’re putting your hands on your heart.

“No, I insist. It would really mean a lot to me if you did.”

Wow, I guess this is it.

Day 2,026.

Huh.

This is definitely not the way I thought it would end.

I guess I’m going to a new home now.

Well, the good news is:

 No more closet for me.

The woman is reaching for your arm.

“Thank you so much.” 

She’s looking at me now.

“We will take very good care of it.”

Okay.

Off we go, then.

That’s a cue for you to go, little one.

She isn’t moving, though.

Are we going or…?

She’s looking at you.

“You.”

She’s talking to you.

“Me?”

The little girl is nodding.

Yes, YOU.

She’s talking to YOU.

 “You. Hug?”

She’s lifting me up in the air.

You’re giggling.

“You. Hug.”

Now, she’s rocking me back and forth.

You’re looking at me.

With those eyes again.

You slowly bend down.

You’re wrapping your arms around me.

Oh.

A hug.

From you.

That’s new.

Well, since we’re having this moment---

Thank you...

For more than just the hug.

You’re putting me in her little hands.

She’s smiling and squeezing me.

“Teng-q. Ba-bye.”

Everyone’s laughing now as we head for the door.

The little girl keeps looking back and waving as we’re walking away.

I see you waving at us as we walk through the door and down the street.

It’s funny, you know?

I always thought they didn’t know what I could carry.

But it turns out...

Neither did I.

Thank you...

For showing me...

What I could carry.