Another Big Thing…

 

As I realize that I am approaching the one-year mark for returning to Louisville, my “comfort” with my things is becoming a little more questionable. What I mean by that is I’m not sure when I will be moving out. Currently, it is not on the horizon. That’s okay, as I believe I am where I need to be.

What to do with all of my “stuff” has been nagging at me. I don’t necessarily want to sell it all because when I do move, I don’t want to replace everything…although it wouldn’t be that bad to do so.

I was talking with a friend when I got a little weepy because most of what I have, I purposely chose. Many things were gifts based on my requests. Some things, just have sentiment. Bottom line, I’m sentimental about a lot of things. I've already had to give up a lot of things, I feel like these remaining items are just part of me.

Having these things in a storage unit serves no purpose. As you know, I have been slowly getting rid of things. Today, someone is hopefully going to take my king-sized bed. I’ll know tonight…fingers crossed!

Over the weekend, I decided to really get serious about sorting through the things in my storage area of the basement. I want to get my room here more orderly and that means taking things downstairs, but I can’t take more downstairs unit I sort through the things that are there…and so it goes.

Today’s goal is to begin getting a handle on things to get rid of so I can reduce the size of my storage unit, once the bed is gone.

Getting rid of your marital bed after a divorce is freeing to some but for me, it has been a struggle. When I couldn’t sell it the first time around, I was secretly relieved. Now, I’m excited that tonight could be the night that it disappears.

Another big deal this week has been the letting go of my wedding dress. Now to be honest, it wasn’t in great condition. I never had it preserved because my Mom had wrapped it in a bed sheet, secured with diaper pins (from my earlier days!) and stored it in a navy blue garment bag. My Mom had put her wedding dress on for many years, as part of their anniversary celebration each June. I guess she thought I might want to do the same…bless her heart! My dress fit perfectly in 1984, but it shrunk over the years and I never even tried.

When Katie got married, for fun, she tried it on…it provided a good laugh as she sported the southern belle look, but it was not her choice for a dress. We did cut some of the fabric/lace for her to use to wrap her bridal bouquet. She also put a small section of lace, from my Mom’s dress inside her dress. It was quite sentimental and I felt like it had been saved for just that moment.

While sorting through some of my things, I found the dress. I opened it, and pulled it out…”I’m ready to let it go!” The dress was rough looking…a big chunk cut out for Katie, a red wine stain from a spill at the reception many years ago. The dress was now a lovely “off white” color. For fun, I tried to put it on…I’m cleansing my spirit by posting the picture…it is over!

I put the dress on, then I happily put it into the large trash bag and said goodbye. Not goodbye to the memories that have made me who I am, but the physical reminder that I do not need. I had a twinge of a tear, but there was actually more laughing and talking about how I was such a trendsetter! It was a beautiful dress, a beautiful day and one that I will forever cherish.

So today, I will tidy up another area and it is possible, that more memories could stir the pot…but I’m not worried! New memories are always on the horizon!!