So, I was digging through some old boxes in the attic the other weekend. You know how it is, stuff piles up over the years. My wife had been telling me for ages we needed to clear it out, make some space. Finally got around to it.
The Big Cleanout Begins
It started pretty straightforward. Pulled down box after box. Dust everywhere, sneezing like crazy. Most of it was just junk, old papers, kid’s school projects from way back when. Felt a bit nostalgic seeing some of that, gotta admit.
Then I found this one small, kind of beat-up tin box. Didn’t even remember having it. Inside, under some old coins and buttons, was this faded piece of cardboard. Looked like an old baseball card, maybe? Had a picture of a player, couldn’t really make out the name clearly, but it had that old-timey look. Made me think about those old collectibles people go crazy for, like maybe finding a rare Babe Ruth thing, even something weird like a ‘Babe Ruth cigarette’ ad if those existed back then. Just a fleeting thought, you know. It wasn’t actually anything like that, just a random old piece of cardboard.
Sorting Through Memories (and Junk)
Anyway, this card thing wasn’t anything special, probably worthless. But it got me started on the real task. Spent the rest of the day sorting. It was tough work, not just physically hauling boxes, but deciding what stays and what goes. Found:
- My old record collection – definitely keeping those.
- A bunch of clothes that haven’t fit me since forever – those went straight to the donation pile.
- Old photos, letters… that took the longest. Sat there reading stuff, remembering people. Hard to throw away memories.
It wasn’t some big treasure hunt like you see on TV. No hidden fortunes, no super rare finds. Just a lot of regular life packed away. Took the whole weekend. My back was aching, hands were filthy by the end of it. But felt good afterwards.
What Really Mattered
Funny thing is, that little card I found, the one that sparked the whole ‘Babe Ruth cigarette’ thought? I almost tossed it. Then I figured, nah, stick it back in the tin box. Not because it’s valuable, it definitely isn’t. Just because it was part of the day, part of the process of digging through the past.
The main thing wasn’t finding treasure. It was making space, dealing with the clutter. Realized how much weight, physical and mental, all that old stuff carries. Sometimes you just gotta sort through it, keep what matters, and let the rest go. That attic feels a lot lighter now. And honestly, so do I.
