The Mickey Factor

Written: 11/20/2007

Tonight, I felt so festive as I secured a winged overnight pad into the crotch of my Mickey Mouse bikinis. How much like a woman – how much like a child.

Since I can remember, I have loved Mickey Mouse – something about those ears I think – it seems a bit randy to wear him on periodic first days. Like I’m getting away with something. Mickey knows my secret scents, and how I flow. He knows me beyond the Biblical interpretation of the word…we are one – he is the man!

I wear him on my wrist during the day. He has ticked off the seconds of my life for 17 years or more via a watch I bought for $10 worth of Birthday money at Walmart. A battery here, a new band there, annoyance to friends as they hear him beating the metronome of our times, and still he rides along each day upon my arm.

We are like covert lover stealing glances at one another throughout the day – especially when bored – mostly when tired. We know each other well. Like he is always early – I am usually late.

I know the sounds he makes and he know where to rest upon my flesh.

I mourn each battery change…mostly because I usually have a conversation that goes like this:

Me: “I need to buy a new battery for my watch:.

Walmart Clerk (WMC): “we can only change batteries in watches bought at Walmart”

Me: “I’m aware of that. I bought this at Walmart”

WMC: “we don’t carry that watch”

Me: “I bought it 17 or more years ago”

WMC: “WOW”…”REALLY”…”AND IT’S STILL RUNNING”

Me: “Yep”

WMC: “WOW”

…

Yeah, exciting conversation right??! But I have it every 1 ½ - 2 years. I don’t get annoyed as much as humored that people are so amazed that the watch has lived for so long – like my wing holding undies –

How does this relate you wonder…

Well my comfy undies are at least 15 years old. They still are secure in their elastic, fit well, and are without holes. They are normally reserved for nighttime sleeping after a long hot shower or bath and are like a dependable old friend that holds and hugs securely during cramped times. I call it the Mickey factor.

Mickey is the only thing these items have I common. Traveling with me through many years have been one watch and 4 pairs of underwear with varying winter scenes – Mickey behind a Christmas Tree, Mickey as a Snowman, Mickey in full cold weather gear, and a smiling Mickey mosaic.

Mickey has been to Rugby matches, concerts, Ballets, and Operas. He has accompanied me through moves, binges, loneliness, and breakdowns.

I wonder how long Mickey will be a part of my life’s adventures. My heart is scared for the day that a battery does not make him well, or the day that the elastic starts to pull away from it’s security. It’s a simple loss I dare not fathom. A Mickey less life is one that I don’t desire to live through for the Mickey Factor as brought me through with it’s TICKTickTick and it’s TOCKTockTock. Silence of the digital age may be just a little too much for my Mickey infused memories.

Peace,

zss