As we Boomers approach our sell-by date, I’m seeing numerous books, articles, and videos exhorting us to “de-clutter”. Why? I LIKE my clutter—papers and artifacts from my elementary school and summer camp days through high school, college, first job, relationships, and up to the present day. “Efficiency” is one reason given, but I enjoy moving items A and B to find item C, and along the way discovering a few more items that evoke wonderful memories, both poignant and happy.

Another reason is relieving our family and heirs from the burden of dispersing our stuff. That’s nonsense. In a letter accompanying my will, I’ve authorized my friends, family, and colleagues to pick through my things after I’ve checked out and to take what they want from my homes (how ‘bout that cool green and white lanyard I made In summer camp arts and crafts when I was 10!!). My executor then need only make one single phone call to a “trash-out” company or junk hauler and the job is done. ALL my “clutter” gives me joy at one time or another— discoveries are like Christmas every day.

A pox on the tidiness gurus!!
Gene Murrow

I returned to San Diego at the end of October. I was suppose to have surgery on one of my heels. It was delayed and here I am. Always a change of plans. I am surprised that I pulled off my Hawaii adventure last January. Some things work out and some, well, they change.

When I return to San Diego each fall I set aside time to visit my storage unit in East County. I leave in the morning and often I am there for a greater part of the day. I weed through my stuff, figure out what I may want to sell or re-home and then I visit.

My storage unit has gotten smaller over time. When I first rented one, it contained two sixteen foot kayaks. It also had a 150 cc motor scooter and several pieces of furniture. Over the years, I sold off most of the big items. I finally managed to downsize to a much more affordable unit.

I have been asked many times whether I am going to get rid of my storage unit. I also have received comments about how I like to go out and visit my “stuff”. Here is the truth of the matter. I am not going to sell or dispose of everything in my storage unit. I live in a very small space, EmmyLou. I have very little room for things that I have collected or fallen in love with.

I do like visiting my things and tell them to hang on. The day is coming when I will no longer be traveling. My things can come out and enjoy the light of day again. And I can treasure them in the light of day, once again.

What type of goodies are in the storage unit?

• Paintings, lots of watercolor paintings by me and others. I love my paintings. I take them out and admire them. Pictures get taken and then they are lovingly stored back in their packaging.

• I studied with Native American Medicine People and Spirit People for twenty years. I was gifted often with treasures I will not give up any time too soon. Not only are they memories but they were gifts. Many hold an energy within them that I treasure.

• Two Appalachian Mountain Dulcimers. The traditional one was made by Clifford Glen from the hills near Boone, North Carolina. The other one is a six string dulcimer that has such a lovely sound. When I lived in southern Colorado I took a class at Fort Lewis College, Playing the Appalachian Dulcimer. One weekend Neal Hellman of Gourd Music, a teacher from the west coast came to teach a special workshop. I was shy in my playing. Our teacher Anne told him to leave me alone because I got too nervous around the teachers. He just so happened to have this lovely Koa wood six string dulcimer with him. He loaned it to me. I was unaware that his motive was self serving. He could hear me play while he stood on the other side of the room. Long story short, I bought the dulcimer from him. It is now snuggled into its current home. It is waiting for the day when it will come out to play again. Neal and I have retained a friendship ever since then. My one and only college music credit was from Appalachian State University.
• Small things stored in boxes, that are loving memorials of Jim’s and my life together. Often, when I remove them, it makes me smile. This includes photo albums of our adventures before iPhones, and our wedding pics. I don’t look at them too often. I have to be in the right frame of mind. They are there waiting for me when I am ready.
• A beautiful old lamp that belonged to my father’s family. It is one of the only pieces I have left of my family heritage. Such a pretty thing.
• The last largish pieces left from those early days are two trunks. They hold weaving’s, some of them mine, rugs from around the world, blankets and throws.
• Photographs that were gifted to me. My favorite is a photo of Bluebirds given to me as a gift.

The list goes on but I believe you get the idea. My storage unit is a mix of necessity and treasures, a lot of treasures. It is also a good place to store paperwork that is necessary to keep. I don’t have to carry all of this with me in my small living space. And when I have surgery it will be a good place to store my road and mountain bike. Things move in and out as needed.

I understand the downsizing trend. I have read those books. They have helped me to clear things out. I have kept what I still treasure. I am too emotionally attached to some things at the moment. And it is OK to enjoy my “stuff”.

So for those waiting for the announcement that my storage locker is empty, I apologize. You will have to wait forever to hear that this has happened.

For those who don’t understand the joy I experience visiting my storage locker, I suggest you take a look around. Visiting my stuff brings me joy. What do you treasure in your home, RV or what ever lifestyle you have chosen?

Today I am thankful for my storage unit that holds all my “stuff”. I am thankful that I can find such heartfelt joy in my belongings. I am thankful for my humanity in all its organized and messy forms.

Today I am Thankful.