This slice is part of
of the March Slice of Life Challenge on Two Writing Teachers! #sol25. I’m slicing every day in March. Thanks for stopping by!
For some reason I started reorganizing my desk area today. Soon enough, I hated it all. I want to declutter, but that’s a summer job, not a my kids are at special job.
“I hate this all.” I said to my student teacher and my partner teacher. I picked up a big golden bell that I’ve had for years.
“That’s a great bell.” One of them said to me right as I said, “Should I throw this away?”
Of course they were shocked, why would I throw such a great bell away?
“Do you use it?” My partner teacher asked.
I rang it and said, “I used to. It’s a great bell. But, it says ‘# 1 Teacher: Ms. Feinberg’ on it.”
We talked briefly about how we might re-label my bell so it would not have my old married name on it. But alas, it is carved into metal. I put it back on my shelf to think about later, and went to get something in the hallway where I saw the para next door.
She asked how I was, and of course, I said, “I’m fine but I started organizing and now I hate everything and probably need to throw away my bell.” I have this problem of actually answering how I am when people ask.
I marched back in my room, grabbed my bell, told my para I was throwing it away. She was aghast. Like I said, it’s a great bell. But when I showed her the name on the bell, she understood.
I thought there should be some ceremony to this, so I took a picture, rang the bell one last time and threw it away.
Decluttering is like divorce I guess.
I have lots of ways to expand on that analogy, but I’ll let you make your own analogy adventure.
On a Thought 
Thanks for sharing this dilemma. It was also a reminder of a life you do mot live now . Sometimes you have to make the choice that suits you. The photographs added to your words.
The repetition and analogy works well in this slice. May the decluttering bring peace to you during this transitional time.
This snippet was packed with feelings. Decluttering and the “moving on” part are so difficult. I sense this was a tough decision, but you made it. Congrats!
you know how they ring a bell at the end of treatment, to signify beating a horrible disease? This. Thanks for sharing and ringing that bell.
on to the next page! Goodbye, Bell. Also, maybe you caught my nesting fever haha!
Throwing that bell away totally makes sense under the circumstances. Now I’m thinking about the decluttering I need to do. Maybe next month!
I loved this line: “I want to declutter, but that’s a summer job, not a my kids are at special job.” –It’s SO true for me! I have a great bell that is meaningful to me, but I actually hate hearing it ring. Good for you for deciding to throw it away in the interest of decluttering!
Ona, I like the final ringing of the bell. The series of photos is perfect, and your poignant comment, “Decluttering is like divorce I guess” I’m thinking about this evening.
Sometimes you just gotta throw it out. Even if it’s a good bell.
“I have this problem of actually answering how I am when people ask.” Ona, I feel seen! I like being open and honest with others, but sometimes I do wonder if I overshare. Then again, I’d like to think it’s why some people like me. =)
And decluttering being like divorce? I see it. We have a thing that has served us, hopefully even served us well in the long run, and now it is time to let go…