Like most young kids (I’m assuming here — maybe I was just a weirdo), I owned several puppets when I was younger. Unlike most kids I probably had more than the average kid, and I still have most of them out in my garage. If you’ve been reading this blog for more than a week, this should not surprise you.

Last summer I stopped by a church garage sale and picked up some puppets. I bought them because they were really professional looking and really well made. I only own one other puppet that looks anything like these puppets; it came from the 1982 World’s Fair, and it cost $100. I don’t think these were $100 puppets, but I’m sure they were expensive. And they were a dollar each, so I bought them all, around twenty or so, and left with a Hefty bag full of used puppets.

If you’ll re-read the above paragraph you’ll find the only reason I bought the puppets was because they were a good deal. Contrary to what you might think, I’m not sitting around the house doing puppet shows on any regular basis. I liked puppets as a kid and saw a good deal on some and so I bought them. I have absolutely no use for them. My kids have no interest in them.

As I continue to de-clutter my garage, I’m faced with decisions. Some things are easy to get rid of, and many of those things are gone. Things that are broken, for example. But other things are harder for me to let go of. Things that I have a sentimental attachment to (more things than you would think) are hard to get rid of. Things that were gifts are hard for me to get rid of. Things that I think I might be able to use some day are hard to get rid of. Things that I think might be worth money are hard for me to get rid of.

After weighing the pros and the cons, I decided a sack full of puppets was something I could get rid of. Right before I did, Susan picked two of them up and made one of them say (in her saddest voice), “Why are you throwing us away, Daddy?”

“You’re not making this any easier, you know,” I replied.

I am glad to report that the puppets found a new home at the kids’ former daycare (The Launching Pad), where kids will be playing with them for years to come. So, it’s kind of like the ending of Toy Story 3, but without all the tears.