I found out several years ago that we in Bergenfield have the special “zchut” of being allowed to dispose of any major pieces of furniture, large odds and ends, boxes of junk, etc., that are not eligible to be included in our twice-a-week garbage pickup. It is a service that many, including myself, are grateful for.

Hello, Bulk Day. As those in the neighborhood can attest, multitudes of couches, chairs, dressers, desks, pots, pans, toys, cribs and more are lying in front of people’s homes the night before bulk pickup day. As I am faced, in my new phase of life, with the daunting task of realizing how many things I have had for a very long time that I really do not need, my children and others of the younger generation cannot wait to get rid of “stuff.” Throw it out is the mantra.

Trucks roam the streets the night before the bulk pickup begins and many are able to obtain well made furniture that no longer has a place in a home, and they are eager to welcome it into theirs or sell it somewhere.

I remember sitting shiva for my mother in Montreal. I happened to mention to a friend that I was glad I had ordered new living room furniture prior to her death and that I would be more than happy to give away what I had been using until that time. A new kollel had recently opened in Montreal and I was told that many of the young couples could use furniture, and as soon as I was able I posted that whomever wanted it should please come and look.

It was a rude awakening for me to find out that these young couples with very limited means would come and look at the furniture and without hesitation tell me that it did not fit into the decor of their apartments. We were not fortunate enough to have Bulk Day back then, and I think I either had to pay someone to take it away or the Salvation Army came and picked it up.

I am proud to say that the bedroom set that we bought with our own money 57 years ago in Korvettes (a department store that has closed its doors along with so many others) is still in perfect condition. I have never seen a reason to get rid of it. The wood is fine, the drawers work; what more do we need? One day I can just imagine a truck coming along on Bulk Day and picking it up from in front of our house. Whoever takes it, I sincerely hope will enjoy it as much as we did.

One thing that no one can ever throw away from our home is the warmth and love that permeated the walls of every room. The memories that bring me so much pleasure and sadness at the same time; the giggling that took place that some would never understand; the tears that were shed, caused by laughter and sorrow. The unexplainable moment when I shared with my beloved the telephone call I had received from our physician the night before delivering the news to me that stage 4 lung cancer was his diagnosis, with a very short life span ahead. My pleading with him not to die and his response that he wanted to stay with me forever. The final day of happiness and joy with dear friends, sharing a lunch of Chinese food together, never suspecting that within 10 hours he would be no more.

We can throw out all the stuff. We can rid ourselves of debris. B”H all of the innermost feelings of our psyche remain with us forever, and for that I am very grateful.

Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].