The Borrowers

Apologies in advance. This blog is NOT related to the 1990s movie about a secret family of four-inch people starring Dan Conner – er, I mean John Goodman.

This is a tribute to all the borrowers out there. Dare I call us a “mooch” at our worst? My older sister has definitely called me worse. The youngest of three, my borrowing started at an early age. Sure there were toys, but the worst of it was clothes. I still have some of my brother’s coveted tee-ball t-shirts. Apparently, it’s also genetic. My brother has many of my father’s polos and shorts too. Poor guy. I also (indefinitely) “borrowed” the double stroller he kindly bought for his grandkids.

I’ll also never forget the panic of seeing my older sister unexpectedly home after high school. It was a field hockey game day, and she wasn’t at her usual three-hour practice. I’d discretely reverse/moonwalk/run upstairs to change whatever top of hers I was wearing. I know what you’re thinking. Middle schooler, eh? Absolutely.

Luckily, my sister now welcomes me into her closet. Oh, and I LIVE for her hand-me-downs. Even all these years later. She’s more than four inches taller than me, so sometimes it takes a trip to the tailor, but totally worth it!

My borrowing extends outside the family. In my opinion, after K-12 education, the public library is the next GREATEST thing our government pays for. An endless amount of books for my entertainment? Simply heaven.

And, it’s not just books that I borrow… They also let you check out CDs and DVDs. This upcoming confession is only being shared for two reasons:

1. My old-school iPod is on its very last leg, cracked screen and all.
2. Apple discontinuing the iPod means it’s a matter of time where iTunes are obsolete. Even to an old soul like me.

Back to my scandalous confession. I have music from the library on my iPod. Shhhhhh. Worse, I have the same music burned onto CDs that I still listen to in my car. Thanks to my children’s DVD player. Speaking of which, DVDs are such a novelty for my three daughters (and me) to pick out at the library. Even in the streaming era, there are still classics that we find that we wouldn’t normally be able to see.

Enough about my love of the library (and all Little Libraries, or friends that drop off books in my mailbox). Borrowing has come full circle back to family. And, payback really is a bitch. My daughters now ask and take everything of mine. Headbands, jewelry, scarves, I’m talking EVERYTHING from my closet. My three-year-old’s favorite game this summer was “Purse Shop.” Even my 19-month-old puts on my bright, yellow ballet flats or sky-high heels daily. I did draw the line with my Dollar Store pen with a huge gem on top. It may only cost $1.25 but it’s my lucky pen. Boundaries, right?