Reverse Downsizing

 

11/25/25

When we were on vacation in New Orleans decades ago, Greg had picked up a jester alligator – exactly the kind of thing New Orleans is full of. Made from an actual preserved tiny alligator and about a foot tall, the figure is wearing a glittery jester’s outfit. It still has all its tiny, sharp teeth. Although it had always disgusted me a little, it was exactly the kind of weird thing that my spouse guy is attracted to. It had been displayed in his office all that time.

Last year during the peak of my downsizing activities, I did not hesitate to include the jester in the boxes of junk I was putting out on the driveway for my neighborhood’s  “free” garage sale event (like a regular garage sale except that everything must be free). A good friend had stopped by to “shop” at my house, and one of the things she left with was the alligator. I told her how we had acquired it, we laughed about it, and she said she knew someone who would love it.

Strangely, as little as the alligator appealed to me, I felt a pang of regret seeing it go. Although I had no problem getting rid of most of my spouse guy’s old junk, some junk seemed emblematic of his loveable quirks.

The jester now occupies a space on the mantel next to
my bronzed baby shoes and Greg's family heirloom clock.

Fast-forward to a few days ago. That friend is now downsizing herself to get ready for a move. I was helping her pack when I spotted the jester alligator, which I thought she had gifted. It was in a pile of stuff that was destined for giveaway. I took it back!

Sometimes reverse downsizing happens, and I roll with it.

Happy Thanksgiving!