One of the first remodeling attempts at the currently-no-so-new-home a year back was to install a nice closet system. Out with the apartment style wire rack with a wooden hanger rack and in with the perfect closet organization system for the home.
Off we went IKEA, we measured and measured more and finally after quite some pondering and sweat equity designed our own closets and assembled them. Something to take great pride in … first attempts at something of that scale and surprises it worked…
I had thought about it a lot and planned out whose clothes goes where and places for assorted stuff that include gifts, jewelery, handbags… We had the “his” and “her” space. It looked perfect! It was our dream house and dream closet….
Slowly over the period of time, I started encroaching on “his” space and he being the nice guy always let me take over…. After all all he needed were two pairs of blue jeans, a few maroon tees, a couple of formal pants and shirts (and yes make them maroon, greys work too). After every trip to the mall, every trip to India, every arriving package from India my collection grew and more encroachments.
A couple of months earlier, we looked into the space called their closet where our clothes were thrown haphazardly and were at times jumping over things lying on the floor. Oh yeah it is worth mentioning here, that 99% of the times, the things gracing the floor were mine.
So donning hard hats and flashlights we decided to handle the closet and be merciless about clothes we have not worn in years but just occupy space. We decided and started with “his” stuff. It went on fast and quite smoothly. He really did not have that much stuff and a few lesser maroon tees did not matter to him. Clean and neat it looked!
Motivated I thought I can do it. I started off in earnest, but with time my to-donate-pile did not grow at a rate I expected it too. I carried on and after what seemed like hours. I considered it done and stepped out to pack the to-donate-pile for Goodwill.
His clothes went in easily into the big plastic bag. She pulled a discarded-grey-top from the pile and started folding it and her mind drifted off. My fingers caressed the embroidered design and I smiled… memories of grandmother holding the needle and working on it, the first time I wore it, the compliments I basked in and the sentiments I attached to it. I did not have the heart to throw it out, in spite of it being a little too tight and a lot out of fashion. It went back into the closet.
I pulled out the next dress, a green salwar top, well-worn, red roses covering it. Another creation from grandma… tons of memories… I had a stupid sentiment, wear only embroidered salwars for exams in college,my lucky charm or so I thought. My mind raced to the numerous exam halls I sat in, the last minute cramming sessions in front of the exam halls and an mini-nervous breakdown (yeah I had one before every single one), an attempt to calm her down by the every-patient-NJ and then more prayers and fears till the pen hit the paper and then it was smooth sailing. The salwar went back to the closet, how can I do it.
He looked at me surprised and amazed at her stories… he never thought someone could attach such an emotional bond with their clothes…. the closet looks organized but the Goodwill-pile remains small!
Pooh!
April 22, 2008 at 12:38 pmThanks Chandini, Kavi and Lavs. Some clothes are just too special. Many a times, I convert old shirts and tops into pillow covers, table runners, bags and other small stuff that I can use all over again.
Lavs
April 22, 2008 at 8:14 amHa ha ha-I also have some clothes which I refuse to throw out coz there are million memories attached to them. Sigh! If only we can have special closets for memorable clothes that no longer fit/went out of fashion!!
Kavi
April 21, 2008 at 9:49 amHmm ! Important point. And indeed..point to be noted !
Made me think of all the old shirts that continue to be the mainstay !
chandni
April 19, 2008 at 10:01 amI am lik that too…I refuse to part with an old t shirt tattered on all edges…but I still wear it too bed…nothing’s more comfortable!