What kind of website would have “Earth” in its domain name, yet not have a worthy post waiting in the wings to commemorate the planet’s Big Day? Well, you’re lookin’ at it. But then I started thinking about what I’ve been up to recently and thought, okay, not a new idea for bettering the Earth, but not always practiced either: reusing whatever we can. So I hope this doesn’t look like a lame attempt to celebrate last minute, although I am, you see, celebrating last minute…

For the past week I’ve been helping my mother pack up for an impending move, all the while putting aside things she’d like to be rid of, whether that means giving to family or friends or strangers, in need or not. Whatever my sister and I don’t take will travel on to others, hopefully filling their needs and maybe even their wants…though I can’t imagine who would want…uh, never mind. Anyway, the move is some months away, so there are more packing sessions in my future and hopefully plenty more stuff that will need a new home and maybe help some folks out, too.

My mother, sister and I also had the task of dealing with my father’s belongings…heartbreaking, but it needed to be done. As our plan was to divvy up his things amongst ourselves, we hesitantly invaded his chest of drawers and closet, pressing pieces of clothing to our faces and taking deep breaths, hoping to feel his presence. Soft corduroy shirts that he reserved for going out. Leather boots, which he’s had as long as I can remember, polished and still looking like new, except for the telltale creases. Old shirts with the sleeves cut off and so threadbare and thin that they seem to float in the slightest breeze, worn while he mowed in the hot sun. A drawer full of trinkets…pocket knives, old coins, watches, a nut or bolt with a notation of its origins. The ritual gave us a chance to reminisce and turned out to be not as dreadful as we had imagined. Although very sad, it made us feel closer to him…and maybe to each other…maybe. So we took whatever we could use, wear or wanted as a keepsake, and the rest we passed on to close family down the road so they could take what they found useful. Whatever is left will be donated to a local charity. As an avid reader who always gladly donated his National Geographics and old books to the book mobile so they could benefit others, I’m sure my dad would feel the same about the things he left behind.

And I hope he would be happy that I’m now wearing this old wind-up Westclox, which still works and might possibly be the one he’s wearing here.

Happy Earth Day.