Any other weekend, I’d be writing this post, bitching about weekends being too short. However, this weekend is a super-extra-long weekend, and I have Monday and Tuesday off as well. Consequently, the weekly “aw, the weekend is too short and I accomplished nothing” post will be postponed until Tuesday. Sorry, y’all.
Yesterday was a good day. It was beautifully sunny, and warm. The local bike path was jammed, and I pulled into one of the smaller parking lots to get some pictures of the Providence waterfront. I drove across the bridge to visit with my uncle, and we practiced proper social physical distancing in the backyard. We talked about my plans for the drive and what I might do when I get there, and what’s happening with Shawshank‘s case. It was nice to talk to someone about what’s going on without feeling like I’m judged for my choice. While it’s not like anyone has outright said, “Crystal, you’re being an idiot”, I feel like the sentiment is hanging in the air.
So that’s two boxes and a chair out of my space. My uncle asked what else I needed to get out of the house. “Everything”, I said, and explained my theory about the value of the stuff we have and the stuff we’ve saved out of guilt. He was happy to hear I still have a lot of my grandmother’s things, as well as a lot of my great-grandmother’s paintings. I may take one painting, maybe two, and the same can be said about my grandmother’s needlepoint pillows. But I can’t take everything. Additionally, I’m learning I don’t need to take everything, nor do I even want to take everything.
My uncle just texted me. “Chrissy, looking at what you gave me yesterday. I recognize many pieces and whose they were. Find myself getting teary eyed.” I’m glad he can appreciate those things. If anyone could appreciate a box full of family history, it’s him. Lately, I’ll look at things while sorting, and think about saving it for someone else. I’ve started thinking about my reasons for passing things on; do I think the person would actually appreciate it, or am I simply feeling guilty about getting rid of it? It’s not only important to keep the things that spark joy for yourself, but to consider if something will spark joy for the person you want to give it to.
This weekend will hopefully be the beginning of getting serious about this purge. I have all day on Tuesday to pull the bigger things out of the house, all the stuff that’s too big to pack in bags and not worth trying to sell.
Today, someone is finally coming over to pick up the windows. If only I could find someone to buy the giant tub of yarn, then I might be really happy. What’s so difficult about just handing me $50 and taking a giant plastic bin of yarn?
Yarn is serious business.
