A $50 Cruiser Bicycle, a Green Jean Jacket, a Linen Blouse with Animal Embroidery, and Other Treasures

In my opinion, buying things second hand definitely practices good stewardship of the planet as well as my wallet. Aside from those very important goals, I think people often seek a connection with the past or ideal self in their thrift shop purchases...that book signed by a famous author, the classic Labyrinth T-shirt with the silk-screen of David Bowie as the Elf King, my own love of Victorian and art deco costume jewelry that harkens back to sorting through my grandmother's things after her death in the early 70's. However, I wonder if another push-back idea against consumerism comes into play here. Many now prefer to give experiences instead of goods as gifts. Perhaps, in a very thoughtful, reflective sense, some of my favorite, no-regrets thrift store purchases and second-hand items have tied me into future human connections and experiences.

My first case in point is a used men's cruiser bicycle I bought at a bike auction benefit for $50. I had gone into heavy debt while caring for my disabled mother until her death in 2016, but, entering my 50's, I knew I was overweight and terribly out-of-shape. A physical therapist had warned me about weight-bearing exercise, so, despite the fact that I hadn't really ridden a bike since my teen years (and never learned to use gears), I thought a bicycle would give me a chance to enjoy the outdoors instead of spending money at a gym.

I went to the local bicycle/ski shop, feeling rather clueless and out-of-place surrounded by very fit and experienced bicyclists, and sheepishly explained my situation to the guy at the counter, asking about his most stripped-down model. At first he said that I was about as tall as his wife and should definitely not mess around with women's models but buy a men's bike. He then kindly suggested some models and said I could try riding them around the shop. Seeing my unease with my balance, lack of ability, and concern with cost, he mentioned an upcoming bike auction/sale benefit being held on the lawn adjacent to the shop, so I made a note of the date.

On that May auction/sale day, I showed up and asked about a cheap, stripped down men's bike. A man pointed out an older, faded reddish metallic men's cruiser bike without hand breaks, much like the hand-me-down bikes I rode as the fourth child in a family of five. It seemed to be in working order, so I brought it up to the people handling the cash and asked the price, "Do you really want THAT!?" someone asked. When I responded affirmatively, he said, "I can sell it to you for 50 bucks," and even allowed me to leave it at the shop until I could arrange to pick it up. A neighbor then game me an unused bike helmet she had. I began with just riding around the nearby church parking lots when I was still living in my late mother's condo, surrounded by steep hills that challenged both my muscles and lack of hand brakes. However, after I had moved downtown to more level streets, I really appreciated that bike during the Covid-19 lockdown. That purchase was to link me to future experiences, but some other thrift and second-hand clothing gave me a gift of future human connection as well.

Most of my adult life I have worked human service jobs, both with adults with disabilities and children with and without special needs. I definitely don't follow fashion and prefer loose all cotton jeans and t-shirts or cotton blouses daily with either hippie bohemian blouses and skirts or Victorian blouses and lace for dressing up. I quickly discovered that beaded necklaces don't work with either young children or adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, sacrificing one to a special needs child having a tantrum and another in doing a bear-hug transfer with a small man from his wheelchair to my car. I also much appreciated being able to wear jeans and sneakers to both my job at a day program for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities and my position at a child daycare.

A professor's wife who had worked with me on sculpture projects in college reconnected with me after my mother passed away. Being a large and tall lady like myself, she gifted me with tons of clothing and some art supplies when she was downsizing. One of those items was a green denim jacket that I quickly began wearing in the cool spring and fall weather. At the time, I had also reconnected with a former client of mine whom held a special place in my heart. The son of an Army officer, he was twenty years my senior and had both physical and mild intellectual disabilities as a result of contracting polio as a child. Despite having a hard time controlling his anxiety and temper at times, he was extremely personable; loved music, Bible movies, and food; and had an eye for the ladies. I started taking him to church and lunch, but, being small and thin, he would grow chilly easily, so I would offer him my green jean jacket. In his mind, he associated it with the Army and his beloved late Dad, so he called it my "Army jacket" and, I think, found a level of emotional warmth as well as physical.

Older children and adults were much more critical of clothing than the very young and those with intellectual disabilities. One four-year-old might gave me a left-handed compliment like, "I like your Mom jeans, Miss Julia!" while another frowned and asked why I always wear the same shirt. (I'm afraid I might have not handled the "teachable moment" by explaining that there can be better things on which to spend your money with as much grace as I should have. Likewise, the nine-year-old who asked why I use the same "ratty-old" canvas bags might have been told that it takes 100 uses to make up for the resources expended in making that cloth bag. I was getting my money's worth..not to mention the sentimental value of the painted handprints made by a good friend's now grown-up children!) Then there was the school staff member who pointed out that the child with whom I was working had a crush on his previous support worker as she was young and pretty and stylish in her scarf and leggings. Middle-aged, I was literally wearing my commitment to comfort and fair labor in my cotton gauze pants made long enough for me by a collective of home-based workers. I could not nor should not compete with the previous lady. We were completely different people.

In that inner-city school environment in which the children valued fancy cars and stylish clothing, I wore a linen blouse with embroidered animals on it that I bought at a local thrift store as I was struggling to get on my feet financially. One of the boys in the emotional support class complimented me on the blouse, and we began talking about lions and about a specific lion in captivity that was reintroduced to the wild. We had both seen the same documentary about the lion recognizing his previous owner, and we found a connection in our shared love of wildlife. All because of a shirt!

At my current job, I practice vocabulary with the toddlers on the changing table as they point to the various animals on that blouse. I am having a harder time removing the stains from it and wonder if it has become too worn to wear anymore, but I appreciate the legacy of connection it brought me. Where or to whom might your next thrift shop purchase bring you???