Go For It!

Yesterday we were feeling extra cooped up. It was a beautiful day to be out and doing something, so we got out for the afternoon and checked out the local Goodwill Store. We've driven past it several times and every time we do I say "That place is HUGE!" Its seriously ginormous! When we walked in it wasn't organized at all. Everything was thrown into large bins, piled to overflowing. The bins were semi orderly (As in, piles of clothing with more piles of clothing, and then everything else piled into other bins.) Toys were mixed up with toasters, and bread machines, and other random "trash." A lot of it was broken or had missing parts. The snob in me immediately thought "This is garbage and I want to leave! Forget touching it! Its dirty and GROSS!" But we did end up staying and after a few minutes (and I realized that they charged .99 a pound!) I started digging. I found some cute shirts for the kids, and Peter found some toys... and then, they began to take some of the bins away. We stood back and watched. Everyone stopped digging and stepped back. A few of them went to the bathroom, some of them wiped the sweat off of their brows... some of them even wore gloves... most of them mismatched. (Perhaps single gloves that they had found on days past at this particular store?) then they all lined up with the tips of their toes touching the tape used to line the bins up evenly. Once the bins were cleared out of the way, they brought new bins out. People began to scan the new loot... (Peter did too! We bought a play mat for Stephen, and a Bumbo! Do you know how much those cost at Target? ) and moved around to the place they most wanted to be. Tension in the air rose (You think I'm being funny...) and then, like a gunshot, someone shouted "GO FOR IT!" And there was commotion. People were throwing stuff around, they were racing around the bins... they were calling out to everyone which parts they needed... people were finding stuff for others and tossing it to them... it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. A lady found a whole dress up set for Lilah and gave it to her... lacy gloves and a flower hat, and a feather boa... to match the purse I had found for her earlier. In this store people came together, and looked out for eachother. And I also realized that some of these people probably buy all of their things here. What I have taken for granted... new shoes, new pants... a new toy for my children fresh from the packaging... some people are unable to provide. It was a refreshing and an eye opening experience! Here are a couple of pictures of the kids showing off their new stuff!