Upside of downsizing | Opinion
The drama continued on the move from hell, but it is finally coming to an end. The last disaster was a flood caused by the incorrect installation of a heater/air conditioner in the unit above ours. We awoke to the sound of rushing water. It wasn’t a dream! Upon inspection, we found the source: a waterfall flowing from the second bathroom’s ceiling.
We sprang into action (as fast as geezers can) with a two-person bucket brigade. When the unplanned shower stopped, we contacted the maintenance people and pros arrived to ascertain the damage.
“You are lucky,” they said. “The people upstairs have a much bigger flood!”
Rather than belabor the events of the ensuing days, suffice it to say, the kitchen was also involved. Our bedroom escaped as did the rest of the apartment. The complications (aside from the damage) arose from the insurance companies, none wanting to incur the costs of repair.
Big fans and dehumidifiers arrived and for several weeks we lived with the noise and inconvenience. When the insurance issues were somewhat resolved, the work began. We moved into temporary quarters while all the floors were replaced, the ceiling was repaired and the painting began.
We are now back in our home waiting for deliveries We became accustomed to workers coming and going, mask off, mask on, social distancing and opening windows despite the cool weather. The upside of all this disruption is that it has helped me to downsize, hopefully for the last time. I’ve gotten rid of every piece of extraneous clothing and the only tchotchkes I’ve retained are ones that have special meaning.
Downsizing, especially for older folks, is not as easy as you might think. While it’s nice to make room in closets and dispose of things that haven’t seen the light of day for years, there is an emotional attachment to objects. How to give away that vase we purchased on a trip to
Should I give
My desk chair rests on a rug bought in
Downsizing isn’t just cleaning out, it’s also remembering. Experts say to start early and do it gradually. Nobody needs four measuring cups or five can openers especially since most cans now have flip tops. There are books to keep because they have special meaning but lately, I do more reading on my tablet than in hard covers.
My mother saved everything: my graduation dress from high school, broken necklace beads, assorted towels, etc. After her death, my sister and I closed her apartment and saved whatever evoked memories for us. Everything else was just “stuff” and disposable!
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