Today, I Bid Farewell To An Old Friend…

It’s difficult saying goodbye to an old friend, a lifetime friend. I did that today, somberly and with complete sobriety.

We enjoyed decades of each other’s company: long walks over green fields, side treks into brush and woods, sidestepping water, back and forth into sandy patches. But today was a time to say goodbye.

Early on, I carried my friend on my back, slightly bent from the weight and mumbling, sometimes cursing, as we went along, not in anger but in frustration As I aged and carrying was too challenging, I pushed my friend in a cart. We were inseparable in sun, rain and wind.

We always seemed to end our walks on a good note, motivating us to return for more.

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My dad gave me my first set of golf clubs, MacGregor Tourney irons and woods. I was 16. It was 1962.

We became inseparable: together on family golf outings, airplane rides to sales meetings and always in the car on business calls. This was the friend that I bid adieu in a rather unceremoniously way when I made a donation to second hand shop

I’m beginning a different stage of Life, the declutter stage, the new catchphrase for seniors of a certain ilk. Looking around the house, I realize there’s a potpourri of ‘stuff’ that I no longer use, will never use. Time to declutter.

But it’s hard to declutter an old friend.

One thing I won’t declutter is all the memories I have that center around golf and those special clubs. It’s not hard to close my eyes and enjoy a tsunami of good times golfing with friends, brothers and especially my dad.

I hope someone will spy these clubs at the second hand store, buy them at a give away price and start making their own memories.

As more decluttering continues, somebody is really going to love the button down dress shirts and brown wingtip shoes I’m donating. I’ll just never use them again.

What about you? Is decluttering in your plans?

Steve (021723)

Quotes on golf and decluttering

“Golf… is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies, is the man who will serve you faithfully and well.” – P.G. Wodehouse

“Golf is a good walk spoiled” – Mark Twain

“Out Of Clutter, Find Simplicity” – Albert Einstein

“Your Home Is Living Space – NOT Storage Space” – Unknown

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srbottch

Retired in 2013 after 5 years as an elementary school teacher and 40 years as a sales representative to begin anew as a school crossing guard. SMy essays/stories are a way to communicate through the telling of personal experiences. One reader said about my blog stories, "...these are like a cold sip during a marathon run, simple, real life events". Another offered about my blog, “it brings some sense of normalcy not easily found in the modern world.”

26 thoughts on “Today, I Bid Farewell To An Old Friend…”

    1. Thanks, John. I think I’ll recover from the separation. Seriously, though, it did take a long time to finally part with them. I have a back up set if I ever decide to try the game, again. As for exercise, I’m sticking with walking the dog and water walking at the Y. No, in the water, not on it. Only one person I’ve heard of that did that…

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      1. Ha ha ha. Yes, on it would be something I would like to see. About 30 years ago a friend and I were taking golf lessons. He looked at me and asked if I was enjoying it. I said , “No.” We both excused ourselves and went to the 19th hole. We never went back. 😁

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  2. I thought this was where you were going in your post. Steve. What’s the old saying? “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I know that doesn’t quite fit because you have fond memories of those clubs. The point is, I think you’re hoping they will fall into the hands of someone who will use them well.

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    1. Pete, you caught on to my charade. I was trying to make it dramatic😂. Someone will probably buy them and use the material for a garden project. Anyway, it is a bit calming to see new space in corners that were cluttered. Thanks for commenting.

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  3. I think I still have my dad’s MacGregor Tourney irons. I never took up golf, but he loved those irons. He had several different sets of woods, and a few odd drivers, but he never changed out those irons. I’ll have to say good bye at some point, but not yet.

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    1. Thanks, Don. They were great looking clubs, especially the woods that were black with a red face. I was always going to make a display cabinet for the woods but never did. Sounds silly, but it was a tough voice to donate them. Time to declutter. 😉

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    1. It’s tough, Liz, but a little health scare helps to motivate. And a wife who’s on me to get started. Ask Siri to find quotes on decluttering. There are some good ones that help make sense of the whole idea. But letting go is a challenge. Those clubs held lots of great reminders of a special time and person, my dad. Have a great day and, as always, thanks for commenting.

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  5. Steve,
    You are right about giving up the game, but the memories of sales negotiations, missed putts, and the smell of fresh cut grass or dew on the green are visuals and memories you will have forever!
    Thanks for sharing

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    1. Meg, my wife is way ahead of me and after me to get going. She doesn’t think that I’ll ever use my 40 foot extension ladder anymore. I’m not sure about that 😂

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