Soggy Scrubby and the Long Goodbye

Soggy Scrubby and the Long Goodbye
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 by Cindy Sproles

Meet Soggy Scrubby. She’s been with me for thirty-six years. Yes, you heard me, thirty-six years. Soggy Scrubby was a wedding gift when the prince and I got married, oh...so...long ago. She’s been with me, making her home in a giant clear vase on the side of my tub.

Soggy is bamboo and bamboo withstands water very well, but I guess after thirty-six years she should wear out. Her bristles are a soft brushed bamboo, manufactured by hand in New Mexico where the bamboo stalks were shipped, stripped, and then brushed until they formed a mane-like feel. Tiny holes were drilled by hand into the base where the bamboo fibers were folded together and glued tightly in place. Then to top it off, a soft material loop was attached to the back so you could slip your hand or foot through to scrub.

Can you tell? I love Soggy Scrubby.

I’ve found after I spend several hours writing, I have to get up and move. I have to do something physical. Folks are always saying, they love to see my DIY projects. That’s a misnomer, by the way. I don’t do DIY. I do necessary home maintenance and figure it out because I don’t have the $$$ to pay big professionals. Don’t be misled by our work :) Just saying.

Anyway, my brain and my backside need activity after I’ve been writing for several hours. So, the prince is good to oblige me as I cough up endless projects around the house that need to be done. The jobs are a bit taxing on me because the prince after his cancer surgery, is unable to lift like he used to, soooo, if there’s anyone on the ground getting really dirty and nasty, it’s me because my prince can’t do it anymore. (This is going somewhere, I promise).

I slid my desk chair under the desk and asked Tim if we could work. He sorta rolled his eyes because earlier in the day, I trimmed tree limbs that he loaded and hauled to our burn pile. I guess he hoped we were done. FYI – no such luck, because my backside was numb from sitting.

The project was to turn a 5x6 Rubbermaid outdoor building 180 degrees in order to face the doors toward our driveway instead of toward our neighbor's house. Well, nothing is easy at the Sproles house. Spinning the building was a breeze. Easy peasy. Leveling it, however, meant I got down in the mud and shoved heavy blocks underneath as far as I could, then Tim would take the sled hammer and warp it a couple of times to place it. All that to say...I was a muddy mess when we came inside.

I headed up to the shower, turned on the water, tossed the muddy clothes in a pile, and stepped into the shower. There she was. Soggy Scrubby. I swear she was smiling at me, ready to gently scrub my back and feet. I squirted scrub on her bamboo hair and to my dismay, she slipped out of my hands, hit the side of the tub, and split up the middle of her soft bristles.

I gasped. “No! Soggy Scrubby you can’t be broken.” But she was. I held her together as best I could and scrubbed the mud off my feet one last time. I rinsed her clean and stood in the shower mourning the loss of a thirty-six-year friendship.

She currently lays on the sink because I’ve not decided to put her in the trash or bury her in the backyard. I know...a bit weird, huh? The point of this long goodbye to Soggy Scrubby is no matter what I do, God offers me teaching moments. And here’s what He taught me today:

Don’t hold on to the material things, for your treasures are in heaven.

(Sound familiar?)

I’m learning this lesson over and over. Not that I’ve ever been one to prize my possessions, but that I have always been one who has had difficulty letting go. If I’ve been hurt, worked hard on a project, carried a job or position, lost a friend or loved one – I have a hard time letting go. It seems lots of folks are just like me. From hanging on to an old box of “stuff” to letting go of sadness, hurt, or anger – I’m learning that burying it only makes me have a sleepless night and God says I need to sleep.

So, as you read this long, lengthy goodbye to my sweet Soggy Scrubby, know that tomorrow she’ll find her way into a nice Ingles bag (cuz I have tons of those) and I’ll gently place her in the outdoor trash bin. Thank goodness, I’ll be at Bible Study Thursday morning when the trash runs. Otherwise, I might lay down in the grass and sob over Soggy Scrubby. I’m sure over the next few weeks I’ll disagree with myself as to whether I can or even need a replacement. I’ll be sure an introduce you if I do take on a new scrubby.

Memories are wonderful things to hold to if you keep them in perspective. I’ve helped several folks purge areas lately and I’ve tried to keep this in mind. The memory lasts when the “stuff” breaks. Perhaps I’ll give you cause to chuckle over this silly post. That is a real goal.

Goodbye Soggy Scrubby. You’ve been faithful. (And the passive-aggressive: How dare you break, you scummy scrubby!)

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Comments

Edwina Cowgill From Newnan GA At 9/14/2022 5:19:02 PM

I loved this article! I laughed and almost cried! It really hit home because we are moving out of this area and city where I've lived most of my life. I will be leaving a lot of family and friends here and moving to a place where we will not know anyone.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

It's always hard to let go.

Melody From Mooresville, NC At 9/14/2022 10:58:56 AM

Soggy Scrubby made me laugh so hard, I had to read it to my husband. He got tears from laughing. And then we talked about letting go. We've been trying to downsize in our home and in commitments. It IS hard to let go-of stuff and things. You have written well.

Reply by: Cindy Sproles

I'm learning that practice....hold it, feel it..if it doesn't make you happy, let it go.

Barbara Latta From Georgia At 9/14/2022 4:20:06 AM

Cindy, you made me laugh and yes cry (I mourned Soggy Scrubby, too!). Thanks for sharing this sweet story that has a great lesson. I bet you will be getting some scrubby gifts from readers now (LOL)