It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday

My dad recently purchased a new computer. In need of more desk space and under the firm encouragement of my mother, Dad is finally tossing his ancient Macintosh which has regally sat by his side gathering dust for years. I say "tossing" because the discarding of this computer has been a process. First, the laser printer was moved from the closet to the floor beside Dad's desk. Then, after adequate grieving, it was moved to the garage accompanied by painful sighs and a furrowed brow. Next, the inkjet was disconnected and set in the office trashcan. Inch by inch, Dad has removed files and pictures from the Macintosh, saving them on his shiny new Dell. I imagine the day that Dad is finally able to bring himself to carry his old friend out to the curb. I imagine him setting it down on the hard, cold concrete and turning with a whimper to head back to the house. I imagine that we will all be able to hear the howl from his lips when he glances out the front window hours later to see that the trash man has taken his friend to its final resting place...computer heaven at Mt. Rumpke.