When Gary and I first got together, we used to take nice walks around different neighborhoods and check out houses. Our joke was that we'd be so curious about what was *inside* the house. What did they have hanging on the walls? Furniture pieces, What was their decor style? Photos? Art? Knick knacks? We'd laugh about how funny it would be to knock on someone's door and say "hey...uh, can I look at your stuff?"
At work, I've been using various used items/recycling community networks in order to assist a couple clients in getting things they need for their new living arrangements. In a nutshell, they are starting over, coming out of hospital from a long stay and moving into apartments (the circumstances under which they have gotten to the point of having no belongings are as unique as the people themselves.)
So today, I went to an address to pick up a toaster. The homeowner was a lovely lady, with a lovely home. She invited me in. She knew roughly the circumstances under which I was picking up the toaster. She offered me many other very useful items which I gladly took. She walked me around her home and asked me to tell her what we needed and she'll see if she can help. I named off a few things, but I was a bit hesitant because I just couldn't get past the bizarre sensation that I was invited into a strangers home and walking out with...their stuff! I felt like I was shopping in someone's house! I joked when I got back to the office that it doesn't count as a "smash and grab" if you invite someone in and tell them to take stuff right?
We have wonderful thank you cards that one of the other facilitators made and I am looking forward to popping one in the mail to her.
It's a wonderful thing, keeping items no longer wanted out of landfill. Because somewhere else, they are needed - and sometimes, they need to be of no cost for those that need them most.
And...I got to live out one of my twisted little daydreams...weeeeeeird.
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