We started cleaning out the attic today. I can’t remember why. We must have been looking for something. I’m not sure we ever found it. We became diverted by all the other stuff that you just know that you should really throw away, but it’s so hard to do.
Like my classroom notes from Introduction to Political Science, for example. Machiavelli, Hobbes and Rousseau haven’t changed very much since my freshman year in college (1973). Or my Black’s Law Dictionary (1977 ed.). Who knows when someone will want a precise definition of res ipsa loquitur? Or how about a brand new package of Eaton’s Corrasable Typewriter Paper–The Original Erase Without a Trace Paper. Don’t you just love clean white typewriter paper? Does anyone out there have a typewriter to keep it company? Then there was an unused college essay exam booklet. This may be the source of my recurring nightmare that I failed my last exam and never graduated from college.
Or how about the stuff that you are afraid to throw out because you are not really sure what it is–like the carton filled with co-axial and USB cables, extension cords, computer wires, software disks, computer speakers, wires with multi-colored prongs, chargers, plugs and unopened packages with other electrical accessories. What if I really need this stuff? Or what about the stuff that could come in handy during an emergency (if we can find it again) like a manual on “How to Choose the Right Flotation Device”. Or the camping equipment that I’ve been saving to take my grandkids camping (once I have some).
Fortunately, we finally found a box that was simply labelled “Memories”. This was very reassuring because we thought we had lost ours. Maybe that’s what we were looking for in the first place.
Slowin' Down with Fast Eddie 
Sounds like you know old friend, Justin Case . . .I’ve been working on the garage project for awhile now . . . my Mom has a few old typewriters in Great Neck
should read “sounds like you know my old friend, Justin Case”
Thank you, Eddie for that well crafted slice of real life. I have been going through the scenario you wrote about for years.
“What is this?”
” Why am I saving it?”
“I’d better not throw it away right now, I might need it.”
Sometimes I think I should get a stranger to go though my stuff and throw out what they think is not important. I probably would not miss a thing. 🙂
and if it makes you feel any better I have the very same dream and on a somewhat regular basis. We must both feel unprepared for something.
Does it count if the memories are someone else’s? (I’m pretty sure that’s my box for a rainy day when I lose mine!)