Farewell, my trusted friend
Somewhere during my junior year of college I decided I would look to leave the Northeast for graduate school. After looking at all of my options and the onerous task of applying -- typing all of the essays individually on the typewriter above -- I accepted an offer from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. It was a different era and there wasn't a lot of flying around the country to visit my choices. Vanderbilt offered me a fellowship and in August 1972 I got on a plane at Bradley Airport, outside of Hartford and got off in Nashville. I had two things with me. I had my suitcase and my typewriter for a carryon. It was that precious to me and if it was lost I couldn't afford to replace it. I also couldn't do my school work without a typewriter.
Years passed and the world changed and I've gone through more computers at home and at work than I can remember. But I never had the heart to give away my beloved Smith Corona, even if it sat in the front closet for 32 years. It had taken me through dozens of papers and many late nights where we heard the campus bells chime two and three o'clock in the morning.
On Tuesday night I was scrolling through my local Buy Nothing Group. I'd offered a bag of bubble wrap and I was hoping someone had wanted it. I saw a post looking for an electric typewriter. The poster thought it was a "unicorn," i.e., practically an impossibility. I wrote back immediately and after several messages, my old friend went to a new home this afternoon. My new friend wanted a typewriter -- not a computer -- for her children to learn to type. I can't think of a better destiny for my typewriter friend.
For those unfamiliar with Buy Nothing Groups, they're groups on Facebook -- there is an app, too -- for neighbors to give and get things. It's great for finding things you'd need/like and recycling all kinds of things. This week I've sent my typewriter, the bag of bubble wrap and a book to new homes. Besides the benefit of recycling, it's made my big New York world a lot smaller.
I'm feeling a little melancholy tonight. It's thankfully not often I say goodbye to a friend of 50+ years. I know my friend will be loved and won't be stuck in the corner of the closet any longer, but it's a tough farewell.
As ever, thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.