
I have been adding my childhood collections to Blue Aventurine’s Etsy shop now for months. Today, I decided to put my last electronic game up for sale. 2XL was going up for grabs along with all the others who used to live in my toy closet. It makes no sense to keep the games, dolls, and play things packed away in a box. The movie(s) Toy Story pulled on my heart strings over the years making a sealed cardboard container a type of tomb. Liberating many of these cherished possessions has lifted excitement only toys can bring to people of all ages.
Before I list an item, an inspection happens making sure the buyer will be getting the treasure they are hoping for. Plugged in my old friend to check his signs of life. No lights in his eyes, no 1978 cute robot sounds from the speaker, no crackle of turing the volume up, no life. Drag. Not giving up, I fed him an 8-track tape, then turned the knob hoping to resuscitate my buddy. Yes! I could hear the motor moving! One of his lights was glowing. Not enough to deem 2XL alive though. I preformed a few common troubleshoots to no avail. I pulled the plug and sat on the floor with him like I had done so many years in the past.
The one person who could preform a mechanical miracle is my cousin Mark. With tears swelling in my eyes, I need to correct the sentence and rewrite, “was my cousin Mark”. This man could talk to electronics, such a scientist. Today the family pinball machine and shuffle board bowling machine are in working order, when they break down again I fear the gaming will cease. 2XL had no chance in coming back because there was no electric doctor to physically call up. Grief comes in waves. Another shift with life, another change, another aspect of love, another tear coupled with a tissue.

An hour or so later, I built up the courage to continue with listing the late 70’s fascination. Figured I would plug him for a picture. Always good to show the levels of working order for those out there with a doctorate in electronic gadgets. 2XL’s brain indicator (red dot on the forehead aka third eye) did light up indicating juice flowing. The picture would not reflect the slow drone of the motor but I could explain the sound in the description. I staged the first shot to depict all that would be had when the Etsy buyer found my grammar school friend. A twist of the dial to the right getting the brain activated coupled with a skooch back from me to take a picture. Could it be? Are you kidding me? Really? The wave of memories from minutes on top of minutes of wonder, the long spans of companionship… Etsy will not be gaining another toy today.
Mechanics coming to life again has only happened to me one other time. I do consider both reactivations to fit into the miracle category. Over the years, I’ve learned anything is possible. I am very happy to share my cousin’s spirit achievements of tinkering with physical things back here on earth. Thank you Mark for fixing 2XL. My brother’s kids are still young enough to enjoy the magic careful, thought-out programing along with basic electronic engineering can create. Grateful, honored, and heartfelt love Mark. Thank you again.

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