Snowblowers have held an important place in my family since I was a teenager living on Gerdes Avenue in Verona. My father was one of the first on our block to purchase one. I have a copy of a New York Times article titled, “In Jersey, It Was Dig and Dig Again.” It was published on February 14, 1983, and can be found at https://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/14/nyregion/in-jersey-it-was-dig-and-dig-again.html.
My father was quoted in the article as he was clearing out neighbors’ driveways and walks after a snowstorm. “It was the greatest investment I ever made,” said Mr. Levinson, a 60-year-old sales executive. “Anyone over 40 who doesn’t own a snow blower is out of their mind. This thing gives you a feeling of power and independence. Right now, I’m plowing a widow’s driveway. It also makes me look like a hero.”
Last fall Don and I decided to hire our landscaper to clear snow for the 2018-19 winter season. This decision was based on Don approaching a milestone birthday. I had been feeling uncomfortable for years that he was always so charged up in anticipation of a snowfall, making sure the snowblower was gassed up, tuned up and ready to go.
He would be outside for close to two hours clearing our large driveway, wearing his yellow fisherman’s jacket and matching pants and sweating through his clothing underneath. Each snow event ended with me helping Don peel his clothes off and throwing them soaking wet into the wash. I always worried that the exertion would take its toll on him.
Our landscaper’s snow removal team is doing a great job; they are on time as promised, as well as doing a thorough job without Don having to break into a sweat. But Don was not ready to say goodbye to his snowblower, until Sunday, March 10, 2019, when he turned his beloved snowblower over to a neighbor. Our neighbor was delighted, and in return we received a batch of homemade cookies fresh from the oven.
When Don came upstairs after completing the transaction, he said that he did not feel sad as anticipated. He felt good and was looking forward, not back. This was our second snowblower in almost 44 years of marriage. The first one was purchased and partially financed by my father when we lived in our “starter home” in Nutley, a home with a very narrow and steep driveway that included a zig zag turn to approach the garage at the top of the incline.
It moved to West Orange with us in 1987 (a grand total of 26 years of use). Twelve years ago, we needed to replace it with a larger, more powerful model. We still have the paperwork of the purchase, and the receipts from yearly tune-ups. Don took pride in the snowblower, just like my father took pride in his. It must be a guy thing because honestly, that piece of equipment scared me and the couple of times I had to use it I kept praying for a safe outcome.
Today it no longer holds its place in our garage, allowing us to spread out our recycling and garbage bins for better ease of use. Don has not looked back, and neither have I.
My father died on February 14, 2003, exactly 20 years after the article was published. Both Don and I are older than my father’s age in 1983. As my sister often says, “We’re not 21 anymore.” It clearly was time to let the snowblower go and pass it along to a younger member of our neighborhood who will cherish and respect it.
How many readers have a garage filled with toys that are no longer being used? This includes grown-up’s, children’s and grandchildren’s toys; books; papers; art work; grade school report cards; and moldy, out-of-focus photos. My suggestion…let it go and don’t look back. I know, I know, easier said than done. But life will go on, and if you’re lucky, perhaps you will have a sweet exchange of kindness with a neighbor and a few more good memories in your heart.
Happy Organizing!
By Eileen Bergman
Eileen Bergman is a professional organizer, a proud member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). Eileen is listed in the resource directory for the Hoarding Disorder Resource and Training Group. Eileen may be reached at 973-303-3236 or [email protected].
