Blue Dragon

This past weekend saw more boxes being packed for donation or the move and bags being filled with trash. I cleaned the closets in a small rec room off of our bedroom. Although the space was small, we managed to fill it with a lot of stuff over the past 20 years. I feel like I have finally hit a groove and have discovered the sweet spot between sentimentality and the need to downsize and clean. Of course, I'm sure I'm still packing more than necessary.

I had planned to spend the weekend at home packing while Scott worked at the mall selling FlexyFriends. Unfortunately he didn't feel well, so I ended up going along with him on Sunday to provide breaks and relief. I don't mind going to the mall to sell, but it makes for a really long week with no break. Robby was able to go with his Dad on Sunday, providing me with a day off at home. 

While we were selling on Saturday I had an incredible experience. A family approached our table with the middle aged dad leading the charge. He reached over everything to grab a small blue baby dragon towards the back. As I watched the smile wash over his face I was optimistic for sale, but I did not expect the story that followed.

Grasping the baby dragon and choking back tears, he sent his wife to the other side of our table so we could speak quietly. Usually this is done to protect gift privacy, so Scott took up his role of entertainer while I finished the transaction with the dad. It turns out the dragon was not for his children, but was a precious gift for himself.

Holding the baby dragon next to his chest like a child's plush toy, he explained that his dad died suddenly when he was 6 years old. One of the strongest memories he holds of his dad was receiving a blue dragon from him, a toy that he absolutely loved. After his dad died his mom struggled (he recounted childhood trauma for nearly 5 minutes), she ended up throwing away everything the dad had ever provided, including the dragon.

Obviously this is not the same dragon, yet it evoked such a strong response in the man that he vowed to keep it in a space of honor in his home. He thanked us for the toy, explaining that he hasn't felt this connected to his dad since he died. After searching for a way to connect with that childhood memory, he found it through our little blue dragon.

I just thought that was a fun story to share for a Monday morning. Have a great week!