Let’s Get Organized

By Karen O’Connor –

“If only I were as organized as Don,” my friend Dolly declared. “He has all his ducks in a row––shoes, socks, shirts, tools, toys, and tacks! No wonder God put us together. I’m finally learning after forty years of marriage the benefit of keeping things in order—well sort of. It’s not easy, I can tell you that. But I see how little time he spends looking for lost items because he knows where they are.”

Dolly admits she’s another story. Her shoes, socks, and t-shirts are well…she’s not sure where they are. “Around here somewhere,” she said, pointing to the piles of clothing on the ironing board and the sofa. “I look for them when I need them. At least they’re in plain sight.” She chuckled and waved a hand across her forehead.

Don’s tidy ways even spill into the realm of paper. Colored folders hold various documents, neatly labeled and filed in a plastic box that he can retrieve on a moment’s notice if a fire breaks out or an earthquake tremor threatens. He has a neatly typed list of names and phone numbers of friends and family members, as well, ready for the couple to take on the road when they travel. And of course he has a checklist of items they need to take in their motor home.

Dolly talked about their next trip and the chores they need to complete before meeting their friends for the caravan to a state park. While she packs the food, clothing, and personal items, Don assembles the necessary paperwork: checkbook, maps, address and phone list.

Dolly phoned me the morning before they left with the latest development. It was good for a laugh, though I doubt Don found it amusing. While reviewing the page of contact information to be sure it was current, his cell phone rang. Don needed both hands to find some data for the caller so he set down the list he was holding on top of his paper shredder. A corner of the page slipped into the feeder and suddenly the machine started gobbling the sheet before Don realized what he had done.

When he heard the motor humming, he grabbed the page in a frenzy and jerked it upward, lifting the entire shredder off the floor! Quickly, he pushed the ‘reverse’ button and was able to salvage at least part of the page. “The top of his specially-typed list now looks like the Jetson kid’s spiked hair,” said Dolly, laughing.

“Poor Don! He’s been attentive to our papers and possessions for so long,” she added, “keeping every one in perfect condition, this was a blow to his ego. Maybe now he won’t be as quick to tell me he wishes I would learn from his example.”