It is still spring even though we are less than a month away from summer. Spring cleaning seems to be an old fashioned term these days. In today’s world, how many of us strip rooms down and deep clean, wash the windows and screens, put away seasonal clothing from winter and bring out the shorts? As I age, I find it all gets done in time, but not all at once. As we have been in hibernation during the pandemic, many of us have tried to clear out items no longer needed. Marie Kondo talks about holding an item in your arms, noticing if it speaks to your heart and then letting go of anything that does not give you joy. Easier said than done. I have been cleaning out linen closets and clothing, putting those items that have served their purpose in boxes so that someone else may find their joy.
My husband and I recently purchased a new table and chairs for our backyard. The set is larger than the one we have had for over 25 years and looks nice on the deck. We look forward to enjoying it this summer with whatever family is able to visit. Even so, it was hard for me to sell the old set with it’s glass tabletop and soft cushions. We have memories of so many family events being celebrated around it. We had even recovered the cushions twice. Keith took the pictures and I reluctantly placed them on FB. Within less than 12 hours we had 12 inquiries. We sold it to a woman whose children are helping her stretch forward after recently losing her husband. I had not been sure I could let go of the memories and comfort the set held for me. But we didn’t need two sets and we did need something a little larger for our expanding family. When her son picked the table up, I realized that letting go of something that had served us so well for so long would now do the same thing for another family. Memorial Day is this weekend and we will share a meal with our son and his family on the deck with the new table and continue making memories. It is freeing to let go. It is part of our stretching forward, day by day, minute by minute, piece by piece.
What have you let go of recently?
