the cleaning lady

I took the day off today because I could feel my body about to give way from all the stress and fatigue caused by OT work. My body was practically yelling out for mercy and calling me to put a halt (no matter how temporarily) to its misery. So yes, I happily obliged. After all, that's what sick leaves are for. And I am sick. Sick and tired.

Anyhoot, my most productive activity for the day is cleaning out my room. I started with the closet-- emptying it of clothes that either do not fit me anymore or have lost my interest in ever donning them again. The lucky beneficiary is our maid, who welcomed my discards with open arms.

Next was the rest of my room, including my desk and my vanity table. I realized midway just how much junk I had! As in, things that are about 6-8 years old were still kept. I ended up filling 3 big sacks with garbage I had coddled for way too long.

Made me think of how irrationally sentimental I can get, keeping things whose value I no longer have recollection of. There were some things I hardly even remembered having in the first place.

There were, however, items that held so much meaning, they almost made me cry. Most notable of such things was a Christmas gift from my recently departed friend, Missy. It was a simple gift-- a coffee mug set complete with saucers and teaspoons. I never ever thought of using it-- as if to use it would wear it down and compromise the last memory she ever gave me. It was from the Christmas immediately before she fell unconscious and slipped into a 3-year coma. It came with a card carrying a message I won't soon forget.

Funny how this simple thing can represent so much of the past, and can trigger so many different emotions. When others can easily lose their meaning at the snap of a finger or at the toss of a wrist.

Funny how we can house so much junk over the years, carrying them and keeping them without even remembering why. Funny how amidst all that junk, is a little treasure that holds more value than all the other items combined.

I miss you, dear friend.