Today I Threw Away My Hairbrush

Yes, that is right. I threw away my hairbrush. But, before you judge let me explain: 

This is not a story about hair.

When I was about 13 years old, I went to Walmart with my dad. Not just any Walmart. The first Walmart I can remember. The old one on Main Street before they closed it down. As my dad and I entered the store, there was a shopping cart that contained various items and the sign attached to the cart said: CLEARANCE. (This was one of my first exposures to the word and my life hasn't been the same since...that's another story...)

I looked into the cart and found a purple hairbrush. I thought, "I think I might need this hairbrush." I don't know how much the clearance item was because my dad graciously bought it for me. 

And, thus, our story began.

I took that hairbrush home and it was the start of a wonderful relationship. This hairbrush has been with me nearly everywhere I go. Every sleepover, every vacation, every morning. These places include: Girl's Camp, Disneyland, China, and my mission to Texas. From the time I found it at Walmart until now, this loyal hairbrush has been everywhere that I've been. 

What once was shiny and new is now old and broken. I've dealt with the three pieces falling apart for a few years now and it has never really bothered me. It was as a friend with quirks. 

But, sadly, this era of my life is coming to a close. I am taking a big "grown up" step this week and it is time to do just that: grow up. It is time to leave behind the things of yesterday and look forward to what is ahead. I will forever be grateful for this hairbrush and all that it represents. This trusty stylist once followed me on every excursion I ventured on, but this time it cannot come along. 

It will stay behind.

I have a new hairbrush now. I did not find it on clearance, but on "sale" instead (another word I have come to love). It is the turning of a page, a step ahead, a door to open! But, never without the wonderful memory of youth. 

So, thank you hairbrush. We had a good run, didn't we?