The other day I found myself doing something I’m convinced only happens once every 25 years: shopping for a new mattress. This is not a casual errand. This is a life decision. Possibly an end-of-life decision.
The sales guy was ecstatic. Truly alive. He walked me through every modern miracle known to sleep science—cooling gel, memory foam, layers with names, and at least one feature that sounded like it required government approval. Apparently, today’s mattresses don’t just support your back; they understand it.
Eventually, he asked the big question:
“So… are you ready to buy today?”
I told him, very seriously, that I needed time to think.
He looked confused. “Think about what?”
I said, “Well, I’m trying to reconcile the fact that if I buy a mattress now, statistically speaking, this is probably the mattress I’ll die on.”
There was a long pause.
He blinked. Once. Maybe twice.
Then he nodded politely and backed away slowly—like I had just shared something deeply personal, profoundly unsettling, and possibly contagious.
I didn’t buy the mattress.
But I think I may have given him a minor existential crisis—and that, honestly, feels like a fair trade.
Published by Ed Kowalski
Ed Kowalski is a Pleasant Valley resident, media voice, and policy-focused professional whose work sits at the intersection of law, public policy, and community life. Ed has spent his career working in senior leadership roles across human resources, compliance, and operations, helping organizations navigate complex legal and regulatory environments. His work has focused on accountability, risk management, workforce issues, and translating policy and law into practical outcomes that affect people’s jobs, livelihoods, and communities. Ed is also a familiar voice in the Hudson Valley media landscape. He most recently served as the morning host of Hudson Valley This Morning on WKIP and is currently a frequent contributor to Hudson Valley Focus with Tom Sipos on Pamal Broadcasting. In addition, Ed is the creator of The Valley Viewpoint, a commentary and narrative platform focused on law, justice, government accountability, and the real-world impact of public policy. Across broadcast and written media, Ed’s work emphasizes transparency, access to justice, institutional integrity, and public trust. Ed is a graduate of Xavier High School, Fordham University, and Georgetown University, holding a Certificate in Business Leadership from Georgetown. His Jesuit education shaped his belief that ideas carry obligations—and that leadership requires both discipline and moral clarity. He lives in Pleasant Valley.
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