This weekend I accomplished a grand amount of things. I finished and turned in a book chapter. I took my son on a mommy and son outing. I also had a get together at home where I made a lot of yummy, large (venti, venti sized) mojitos. So fabulous. On top of such accomplishments, I also managed to throw out a lot of things. I cleaned out my refrigerator. I emptied a medicine cabinet. I went through one of my son’s extra large toy bins. And, I found many items to throw away.

I felt a little guilty as I did this as I kept thinking about the Toy Story movie. Toys have feelings of abandonment too! But I needed to do it for many reasons.

There were toys that were broken in there. There were toys that now seemed a bit creepy. And, frankly there toys that he has outgrown. And, those made me a bit sad. I once had thought that I would hold on to all his toys as precious mementos. But, I now realize that while I will definitely keep some of those, there are many that I just couldn’t keep. For how long did I really think I would keep these and where? In a New York apartment you barely have space for a hat. Let alone 1000s of toys. Not that I am in New York. I am just using it for emphasis.

Of all the toys I discarded, one really saddened me. Dear old Sophie, the giraffe. If you have had a baby or know of one in the past 15 years, you know who Sophie is. Every kid had a Sophie. She was chewed on, banged on tables. Used as a slingshot. My son never used a pacifier. But Sophie most definitely filled that and so many other roles.

I loved Sophie. But I was shocked that I had kept her. Seemed very odd of me to do. But there she was in the toy bin. And out she went into the garbage. But maybe it wasn’t her and just a clone or imposter. Boy that would be a dark version of the Toy Story movie. Anyway, while it pained me, I had to let her go. My son didn’t even remember her. It was all me. My guilt. My memories. But I did do it.

I think I need another mojito.