No More

Massapequa NY

15 July, 2021

12:01 AM

Description

It is an absolute revelation (and not incidentally a joy) to realize how mundane items rise and fall in importance on life's journey. One such suddenly significant article arrived in my rather small world this afternoon. I was filled with delight when the package arrived from (of course, you already know) Amazon. It was wrapped securely (I fear they believe I am living incognito or in disguise) as is their norm. I had finished a rather healthy lunch (protein, carbs and not a spec of sugar) so I felt quite strong enough to master the invincible transparent tape and open the sturdy brown box. I even surprised myself with the joyful anticipation of my purchase. My mind fled back to the day I closed the black lacquered front door abandoning what I thought were objects suddenly unnecessary for either my comfort or tranquility. Ah, indeed that was a lesson I learned soon after unpacking and I regretted immediately. I left microwaveable ramekins sitting lonely on the counter as I departed. The morning after arrival I remembered their importance, not only in melting butter, but warming blueberries, just slightly, as a partner for morning toast. I also had abandoned my scissors. The sturdy pair had been part of our family for half a century, and I discarded them with insensitivity. The moment I began to unpack, I knew I had made not a mistake, but a major error in judgment. The old reliables were not attractive, no sparkling color on either handle or blade, but dependable. They cut through tape, both brown and clear, without question. They never faltered in precision. They also never seemed to disappear, but always hung reliably on the hook nest to the spatulas. Ah yes, they were unappreciated, and saying adieu without provocation, was a decision to be soon regretted. It has taken me not days, or weeks or even months, but years to replenish my hoard of quiet helpers. The ones that made life so much simpler and gave me the aura of expertise in coping with life's basic challenges, i.e., opening boxes, preparing an edible meal. However, today, I rejoiced in a new addition to my culinary world, not one, but three pairs of colored scissors. Their bright hues will make it virtually impossible to hide when the robust challenge of an Amazon box arrives. And now that I have three pair, certainly I will always remember where I put one. At least I will no longer have an excuse.