Today was unexpected in the best way. My 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teacher stopped by to take my oldest out to lunch to talk about an art project. While she was here, we wandered into conversation about our messy art room. She laughed and admitted her own house is even more cluttered - small, but very full.
That led us into a bigger discussion. I mentioned how my mom doesn’t want to throw anything away, and how someone we know is planning classes for older adults to help them learn how to let go of belongings before moving into assisted living. My teacher paused, then said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“Sometimes we don’t want to throw away the things that remind us of who we are.”
It was profound.
I thought about all the times I’ve wanted to clear space in my mom’s house, but she clings to dresses she’ll never wear again. I thought about my kids, who want to tidy their rooms but still hold onto toys they’ve long outgrown. And I realized - it spans every generation.
Maybe I’m more willing to let go because I’ve built other places for memory. This blog. Digital spaces. Words and pictures that preserve moments without taking up physical space.
But for many, objects are anchors. They hold stories, identities, and reminders of who we’ve been. And maybe the real challenge isn’t deciding what to keep or toss - it’s finding new ways to honor those memories without being buried by them.
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