Robin

Steinweg

Thrift stores, garage sales, rummage and yard sales — oh joy, oh rapture, their season is upon us! For years I have tried to be like the Proverbs 31 wife of noble character. She rises while it is yet night (to get to the best sales early) and provides for her family (like-new clothes for my boys, for pennies). She is not afraid of snow for her household (not when I managed to find warm boots and water-proof mittens in the right sizes). She makes linen garments and sells them (well, at least I repurposed items and sold them at a profit from the scraps and bits I picked up). Her children rise up and call her blessed (“Thanks, Mom!”); her husband also (“Have I told you how much I appreciate all you do to save money?”), and he praises her.

I have combed countless piles of despised, rejected, or outgrown cast-offs to find the right style, the most loved color, and the perfect size. My car, sans GPS, knows the route to at least ten thrift stores. I’ve recorded the addresses of clean garage sales whose owners have children a year or so older than mine so I could recognize next year’s sale.

Treasure hunting, that’s what it is. Sometimes the items don’t much resemble anything like gems. They might need a good cleaning, some minor repair, or even a redo. But when I’ve done what needs doing, they are valuable. It takes a sacrifice of time and energy. It takes a practiced eye (or at least a persistent one) to spot them. But when they’re done, they’re worth it.

There’s a song that tells a story about an old violin that comes up for auction. It looks beat-up and worthless. It’s a reject; no one wants to waste their money on it. But then a fellow walks up front. He touches the instrument reverently. He puts it to his chin, draws the bow expertly across the strings. His hands coax from it the most glorious music the people have ever heard. The touch of the master’s hand is what did it. And it took a master’s eye to spot the potential the instrument had — that it was like an uncut diamond, rough and ordinary-looking.