Finding Joy in the act of getting rid of clutter.

Time to clear out the clutter and do some organizing.  It’s easier than dieting and exercise.  So I think.

Going through the stuff is daunting.  I put it off and then put it off again.  My husband’s stuff stayed where it was and I tried not to think about it for a long time. I have not really accepted that I am a widow and that Mike will not want or need these items anymore.

I went through my closet and got rid of clothes that no longer fit or that I just don’t wear.  I put them in big black bags to place at the end of the driveway for pick up from whichever group gave me the flyer that month.  Throwing a few of Mike’s things in the big black bag was an easy way to start.  Not all of his clothes, just a few items at a time.

I saved a few pieces thinking my sons may want to wear them.  They really didn’t.

This fall, I moved some of my summer clothes and shoes into his closet.  It took me 15 months but I think I am beginning to “acknowledge” the fact that he will not be coming home.  It was always hard for me to think that I had to accept it.  His death was unexpected and tragic. But I do acknowledge that it happened and that he will not be coming back.

So as I was considering sorting and tossing some excessive holiday decorations and maybe giving away even more clothes and stuff, I came across an old cardboard box that had my handwriting on the outside stating “old letters”.

Now, I had avoided the Christmas tree because I thought the ornaments would trigger a major traumatic episode.  I managed this year’s holiday season without a breakdown so I thought I would take a peek at this box.

Immediately I thought of an old card that Mike had given me when in our early dating years we had “taken a break”.  I remembered the quote he wrote in a card, and  discovered after he passed, that it was the words to a song.  I wanted to find that card with his handwriting on it.

Well, there was a lot of history to be found in that forgotten “old letters” box.  My high school and college graduation caps and tassels were in the box. My awards from playing the clarinet in solo festivals and other certificates were in the box.  I have journals from high school and college, all pre Mike.  Wow, what a different girl was writing those sad, boy crazed entries. I can definitely appreciate the impact he had on my life after skimming through those.

SPANX
I found pen pal letters from friends who lived in Australia, Sweden, and England! The letters from overseas were thin and had air mail stamps on them.  I had envelopes with funny notes from high school friends who wrote to me when I was away at college. I found notebook paper notes from a high school best friend shaped into a triangle.  The effort we went through to communicate with each other before cell phones and the internet is amazing!

Finally, I found what I had opened the box to find.  Mike did send me some cards which I had saved, but the song wasn’t written in a card.  He had actually written me a letter.  In fact, I found 3 hand written letters in the box from him.

After we got engaged in California, he took a job as a prison guard for the Department of Corrections in California.  He had to undergo 6 weeks of training in Galt, CA. This was about a 7 hour drive from San Diego so I did not see him during that time as I was working  at a hotel in Coronado, CA.

I had forgotten about this, but he sent me at least 2 handwritten letters from Galt.  I didn’t cry when I read them.  I was filled with joy at seeing his handwriting, hearing his voice and imagining him writing those letters to me back when he was 25 years old. I feel blessed that I found them.  It is so sad that people today will probably not have love letters to save for ever like my generation did.

I am grateful every day to have had him in my life.  I can’t let myself dwell on the fact that he is gone.  I like to focus on the fact that we had it good.  We were one of the lucky ones.

Sometimes joy is found more in an everyday moment than in those big vacations that we spend so much time and money working for.  What brought you joy today? Please share.

moving forward after clearing the clutter

runawaywidow

At the age of 51 I unexpectedly became a widow. For the first 6 months after my husband died, I was in shock and numb. I journaled and with the help of friends, family and therapists was able to get back to living my old life, even if it is now very different. Before I was married, I had spent a semester in England and backpacked around Europe. My husband and I moved from New York to California for 8 years and started a family. Travelling took a back seat to raising a family and going to work everyday. Since the loss of my husband I have visited a lot of places with family and friends and took a solo trip to Thailand. I am enjoying sharing my stories and adventures as well as some of my insights to how I am traveling the path of being a widow. I hope to share my stories and adventures as well as some thoughts on being a middle aged widow. While I have some great experiences traveling to Thailand and cruising to Central America, some of my adventures involve a trip to see a Broadway show in nearby Manhattan and a shopping trip at Bed, Bath and Beyond. If I can inspire anyone to go out and continue to live a good life that would be my greatest accomplishment.

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16 Responses

  1. A beautiful poignant post. I am so glad you kept those letters.

  2. Leslie says:

    My joy comes from your post that is reminding me to find the joy in the small things in life. Small kind acts to others and from others make a world of difference in the world. Remember “when others go low, we go high!” We need to continue to bring joy and kindness to others – always!

  3. Dianne Guarino says:

    My joy today is a beautiful sunny day in January! Two years ago we were shoveling snow and today we were able to take a nice walk in the neighborhood. Many people were out doing the same so it was nice to see others when usually we’re in hibernation mode. Thanks for making me think of the little things that bring great joy!

  4. runawaywidow says:

    I agree. So nice to get out in the sunshine in January and take a walk in our beautiful neighborhood.

  5. cedar51 says:

    You need to put those precious memories in something like a photo album and shelve in the living room – and make a date to browse them at least once a year. Maybe you should take a trip to some of those early places…not to look for your memory exactly.

    It has been less than a year, when I sorted/sifted up my own life and moved into a much smaller rental home. I am basically unpacked but some of my earlier memories are still stored…I was unpacking some books yesterday and wondered where one book was – I think it’s still in the 3 old suitcases that hold memories/precious stuff…

    I may have to schedule a look-see when the next break comes during my Honours period…probably not until May.

  6. Tracey Spero says:

    Kristin, I love that you created this blog. I will continue to read and learn. I have no doubt that your strength to share yourself with others and be vulnerable will help others who have loss a spouse.
    With Gratitude! ~ Tracey

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