When I bought my new camper, Blue Moon, I knew the queen-sized “camper” mattress would be the first thing “out” the RV door! I know from experience how uncomfortable they are for more than 1 night. However, the transfer of goods to the new camper from Half-Moon was a hurried affair in the RV dealer parking lot. I simply threw my “good” mattress on top of the new one. I liked the Princess on a Pea ambiance so just left it.

Now, I am getting ready to head out for a new adventure (approx 10 more days) and it’s time to get travel-ready. The two-mattress thing has some disadvantages (including blocking access to under-bed storage). Time for it to go.

I could haul it to the thrift-store but I know some states have laws against accepting mattresses. I decided, instead, to let someone in the RV park have it. As I have mentioned there are people in the RV park that are a bit down and out and actually live here all the time. Even a few kids live here. It’s a bit rough around the edges, away from the spiffy sites set aside under the trees for new and newer RVs. Maybe someone over there needs a new mattress?!! Some of the RVs are quite old, so their mattresses would be too. I woman-handled the mattress over the to the van, where it leaned, all new and spiffy. I attached a sign that said, FREE, NEVER-USED. After a day, the mattress disappeared. Pat, pat, pat, good job Rev. Altruist. Pat, pat, pat. Doesn’t it feel good to give things to the less fortunate.

A few days later, on a hot afternoon, I walked out to the van, heading for the cool library. A few young neighbors waved, and one said “thanks for the mattress”. I gave him a thumbs up. I was pleased, I knew this family lived in an older RV and had a bunch of kids. No doubt, they truly needed this mattress.

Fast forward a week or so. I am sitting at my lovely dinette, next to my glorious window. I can also see out of another, smaller window from that spot. I look out as I crunch my cereal. I look back down to my cereal and scoop up another spoonful . I look up and chew. I get the feeling I am missing something out there. Its the same feeling that I get when looking right past a bird.

I focus slowly on a sun-drenched RV that now has a large wooden panel attached to the front. It is hanging against the front end, apparently insulating the front of the unit, which directly faces the sun (as do most of the “lower-end” sites). Since it looks so much like a front end window in older trailers, I imagine maybe it leaked too. Well, great they got some shade/insulation/water protection.

I stop chewing and throw down a bit more coffee to knock the cobwebs out of my brain.Holy Mattress! That is not a piece of wood insulating and protecing the front end of the RV. That is my mattress hanging out in the full sun, already bleached a shade lighter. How long will it be until mice move in? What about rain storms? By winter, the mattress will be in shreds. Sooobbbbbbbb. I contributed to the murder of a mattress.

Okay Jane, stop the drama. You gave away the mattress. You did not specify on the sign that it must be used as a mattress. Those people needed that mattress to keep the place and their kids cool. They probably don’t have an AC like me, to flip on when temps creep up. Grow up. When you give things away, they leave with no conditions as to their use.

Hmmmm. I have donated a ton or two of stuff this year. Wonder what people are doing with that stuff? My $450 inflatable kayak (replaced by a hard-sided version) is a planter? My McCoy Pottery vase is a toothbrush holder? The dresser has been disassembled to make wall art from the drawers? The skeins of yarn have been cut up and used to line a gerbil cage? Worse?

Who cares. I don’t have to deal with the stuff anymore. However it brings joy to others, so be it. It is just stuff, none of which matters.