The drum in the dumpster

This red drum holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. For one, red is the color of love and I just happened to spot this drum on one romantic evening with my boyfriend.  I believe it was a chilly, drizzly, autumn night and we were making our way back home from a great jazz show on the Lower East Side.  Now, I’m not a frequent dumpster diver, but an avid explorer for sure and as we turned the corner this night, I caught a glimpse of something red and shiny just peeking out of the top of the piles of trash. The tiny water droplets from the sky were encouraging it’s own beat on the drum. It was an ever so slight, thud, thud, thud atop the drum. My curiosity took hold of me and I grabbed the side of the dumpster and hoisted myself up. It was all wet and smelly in there, but I didn’t care.  “What a great red drum!” I said. “I can’t let this go to waste. It’s too….pretty!”  In an absolute act of chivalry my boyfriend jumped in and grabbed the drum for me and proceeded to lug it up to my 5th floor walk up apartment. (I’m convinced he was trying to impress me. It worked.) We noticed a few of the legs were broken on the drum and assumed some up and coming musician had simply taped them back on for the time being. What perseverance!

The drum sat, slightly wobbly in my living room for a few months, and like my current relationship, I soon realized something had to change.  Neither a drum nor a relationship can stand on shaky legs.  Once I removed the legs completely and let the base of the drum stand firmly on its own, it proved to be a very reliable side table in my living room.  It’s a nice resting spot for a myriad of magazines, a candle, and the basis for a good conversation starter.  I have remained friends with my ex-boyfriend and he, like my shiny red drum, will always remind me of my sentimental salvage.

Contributed by Lauren Heath.

A Sentimental Salvage is the story behind that truly special, one-of-a-kind piece in your home. It may be furniture that’s been in your family for years or an accessory you delighted in finding yesterday. However long it’s been in your life, this piece of your home holds special meaning and sentimental value. Email salvagedgrace@gmail.com if you’ve got a Sentimental Salvage of your own to share.