What About Bob?

It was a classic movie with Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus. Murray played Bob Wiley - a man with nearly every physcosis known to modern science and then some. Richard played Dr. Leo Marvin, a cutting edge psychiatrist who's recent best seller, Baby Steps, was the catalyst for Bob's remarkable recovery. The bulk of the movie takes place at Leo's house in the country where Bob has tracked him and makes life miserable for Dr. Leo to the point that he tries everything he can to rid himself of Bob - including murder! Leo's family, however, has taken a certain liking to Bob and often asks Leo ... "What about Bob?"

Saturday, I used that phrase a few times ... mostly in jest - but certainly in disgust. Bob was the first vulture to show up. His stripped out station wagon was our first clue. His northeastern accent was identifiable. And ... with all due respect to those "honest" ones in the industry ... all Bob really needed was a good, bright, plaid jacket and he could have been a quintessential used car sales man!

Bob was a man on a mission ... a man with a purpose. Undoubtedly, he had seen the ad in the paper ... "Estate Sale" ... and he probaby began to salivate at that moment! As he entered our domicile, it was clear that he was a professional in the sense that the young ladies walking on Dale Mabry after dark are professionals! Bob quickly surveyed the material possessions that filled my mind with memories of all my 45+ years and I'm sure of my sister's __+ years. (She wouldn't want me to divulge her age since she is 12 years older than I am!)

Bob's vulturistic aim was to swoop in and capture the cream of the crop as it were ... to secure the most prolific deal that he possibly could ... and he did. Things that were ALWAYS there to me were suddenly, quickly, gone. Loaded and strapped in and on the beat up old station wagon for who knows where (probably Antique Roadshow), Bob departed ... his booty in tact. He would return once again to retrieve what wouldn't fit the first time and even to add one more item. Throughout the remainder of the day, occassionally, just to let out a little remorse, I would casually ask my sister ... "what about Bob?"

When mom died back in August, I guess it never occured to me that we would need to have an Estate Sale. All of those treasured "things" of the past are now living in someone elses home. I guess all that is left are the memories.

Of course, that's the best part! I wonder about the memories that will follow my life. Will they be good ones? I hope so. I guess I should wonder too ... "what about Bob?!"