an obituary of sorts

I almost always keep my toothbrushes for too long. Until they are pretty worn and bent out of shape. And it's not so much the fact that I'm trying to save money and use just one for as long as possible. No, I don't mind shelling out two or three dollars for a toothbrush. The thing is a good toothbrush becomes like a friend to me. I spend some of my most intimate moments every day with my toothbrush, and when I find a toothbrush that feels good in my hands and in my mouth, and cleans my teeth just how I like it, when I get comfortable with my toothbrush, then I don't want to get rid of it. But eventually, like all things, there comes a time when it gets too old. The bristles get a little too bent and just like that, before I've had the proper amount of time to grieve and cherish every last minute, I have no choice but to move on. So it's safe to say when I go toothbrush shopping I almost never go for the .79 cent Safeway bargain. No I look for something a little nicer, something that I know will last a little longer and be a little more comfortable. I'm not just shopping for a tool, I'm looking for a friend.

So it is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to my toothbrush today. You have been with me through the good and the bad. Through stressful mornings to the latest nights. Through a senior show and all the work that entailed, sunday mornings with the grandparents, days waking up minutes before classtime, a breakup, a college graduation, a couple moves, and numerous road trips and adventures. Also, my tongue thanks you for always being kind and gracious to it as it has never gotten along better with a toothbrush. Just because you will be replaced physically does not mean you will be replaced in my heart. I will not soon forget you, friend.