Another Fine Mess!

I have a confession to make. I recently had a terrible day, and my conscience got the best of me. I knew it was time to finally do something about that looming pile of junk in my garage—so I went to Goodwill, got all my junk together, and took it all to the dumpster!

Quest for help online

After removing four full bags of trash from my garage (and after getting rid of several other items), I saw an ad on Craigslist for someone who wanted something similar done. It said they were looking for someone in need of a “dumpster dove” so they could get rid of their own unwanted personal items too. I was thrilled. A dumpster dove! Someone to help me take care of my junk!

I agreed to an interview, and started asking questions like: “How much will this cost? What do I need to provide? Do you need a deposit up front?” The answers were: “It will cost $50. You can bring whatever you have. And if you don't have any money, we'll take some of your stuff!”

Wanting nothing more than a free dumpster dive, I sent my personal items over on the appointed day, and waited for the garbage man to show up with his truck and his big black garbage bag.

As I waited, I realized I was in way over my head. I knew this wasn't what you'd call a normal day, but my heart had been set on making a fresh start. It was an uphill battle.

I stood there and watched as the garbage man slowly and methodically filled the bag … and then it hit me: 'What if that is all there is?!' That possibility scared me to death. I had no idea what was in the bag, or how long it would take to fill. I was standing outside my home in my socks, watching someone else pack up all the junk I didn't want.

As it turned out, the garbage bag only reached about a third of the way up the dumpster! How could that be?! Was I really going to let someone with no personal attachment and no investment dig through all my stuff? What kind of person would I be if I couldn't properly sort through my things to determine whether or not they were trash? This was awful.

I heaved a big sigh and started to walk back toward my garage. But I had already agreed, so I couldn't back out now. Getting rid of personal items you don't want can be a difficult task—especially when an enthusiastic stranger is ready and willing to accept them!

But the dumpster dove was a good guy, and he thanked me repeatedly for helping out. He worked methodically, tagging things as "good" or "trash," while I continued to feel like a heartless failure. He made the final cut after about 30 minutes, and I took one last look in the dumpster before he filled it up and left.

I stood there in my socks, shaking, as the dumpster dove disappeared down the street. It had been a long day. As the sun started to set, I stared out the window at my mysterious dumpster ... and decided I needed a drink.

What was in the dumpster?

When I finally got home that evening, I opened up my garage door and surveyed all that was left of my personal items after being dumped in a trash-filled container. All of it still looked like junk—but just in case it wasn't everything I'd hoped, I grabbed a screwdriver and went through every single thing one by one.

The trash bags were full of clothes I no longer wore, books I hadn't read in years, a broken boom box, and other discarded items that didn't seem to have a real home. But the good stuff was there too! There were pens I wanted to keep forever (which is easier said than done). Some money. My favorite collection of comic books. Several DVDs. More pens and pencils than I have ever owned before or since.

I found coins, spare keys and car fob that had been misplaced in the world of electrical devices for too long to remember why they had been discarded along with me. There were little write-in memo books and plastic pairs of gloves that I clearly never used to do any work. There were lots of other tiny knickknacks that, while they may not hold any intrinsic value to anyone else, mean a lot to me.

My heart was warmed to see all the treasures I had let go—and more importantly, I was inspired by the things I still had. The list of treasures could go on forever. I have hundreds of action figures, comic books and toys that some mother would have given anything for her kids to keep (at least if they are younger than 22!).

But the biggest thing I found was something I had lost long ago: my happiness. That was no longer in my trash. It was hiding in plain sight, waiting for me to notice it. My happiness had been in the yard next door all along … And now I could finally close the garage door at last.

--Author Unknown [TOP]

Got a feral cat problem? -- Contact me today!

Got a feral cat problem? Feral Cat Care and Rehabilitation Tips: http://www.stpatsferalcatrescue.org/feral-cat-care-rehabilitation-tips/ I also have free printables -- check them out here: https://www.stpatsferalcatrescue.org/printables/ Feral Cat Care and Rehabilitation Tips: http://www.stpatsferalcatrescue.org/feral-cat-care-rehabilitation-tips/ I also have free printables -- check them out here: https://www.stpatsferalcatrescue.org/printables/ Your donation helps keep this site going and growing, year after year. Help St. Pat's Feral Cat Rescue continue to provide care and rehabilitation for cats in need! https://www.stpatsferalcatrescue.org/donate

Got a feral cats? I can help! -- Contact me today! Got a feral cats? I can help! email: fcar@stpatsferalcatrescue.org [TOP]

Conclusion

I'm happy to report that the feral cats in my neighborhood have been brought under control. I could never have done it without the support of all the people who helped me. I hope that by sharing my story, you will find ways to help some of them survive and thrive in your neighborhood as well.

Even though I've reached my goal of reducing the feral cat population in my neighborhood, there are still many cats out there who need your help. The most important work you can do is to donate money (no matter how big or small) to a local, staffed cat shelter and/or rescue organization.

Another Fine Mess!

Another Fine Mess!

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