18 Comments
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Karthik Ramanan's avatar

I still can't believe you could actually move a house. Boy, it really meant a lot to you, didn't it?

It couldn't have been easy to let go of your past lives there. I'm proud of you for doing it.

I wish I'd get to live on a farm in the West where I could play my violin and serenade the cattle and my man.

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

Don't give up the dream, Karthik

James Farren Hickey's avatar

I always loved watching houses get moved that way. Something magical about it. And I love the concept of death cleaning. When I left the states I sold my house and all my belongings and started over with only what I could carry in the plane. Absolute freedom!

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

We become such slaves to what we own. We over-value them and under-value the things that are most meaningful.

Steven Rowe's avatar

I am approaching that same time in my life...deconstruction. It is encouraging to read your experience.....thanks for the advice.

Always well written

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

I hope yours goes as easily as ours Steven

Don Humphreys's avatar

Excellent … one of your best.

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

Thanks Don. Really appreciate it.

joseph Bratsky's avatar

Thank you for sharing your life and your rich style of writing. I celebrate your journey and have many elements in common. Keep the spirit shining through.

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

Thanks for that beautiful comment.

Peter Robertson's avatar

I'm going through this right now. Sorting through a loved one's "stuff" who passed on Friday. This person was nowhere near the status of hoarder, but had enough tendencies to make things difficult. Sorting through someone else's things is the perfect reminder that "stuff" is a burden. I make a distinction between "possessions" and "stuff" in that my "possessions" have purpose and value while "stuff" just adds noise and complication to my life. Living in 630 sf will help you make this distinction rather quickly.

(Edit) After having read this, it seemed a little cold. I loved the person being referred to immensely, which makes the categorization of "stuff" all that more difficult. I kept a scarf because it smells of his cologne. Does that make it a "possession"? Maybe for the next year, it does.

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

You possessed the meaning and memories from the scarf. That's rwal value, Peter. we never labeled it stuff v possessions, but what we saved, we really value.

Jan M. Flynn's avatar

What a moving testimony to the wisdom of flowing with the rhythms of a lifetime. Loved reading this.

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

Thanks, Jan. It took me too long to learn to flow, but I'm happy I'm there now.

Jan M. Flynn's avatar

I'm 72; still learning.

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

Our curiosity about life keeps us engaged in living our best life.

Starr Hinrichs's avatar

What a lovely piece of writing! Your lived story (since you came out ) is testament to what can happen when we begin to get honest with ourselves. In your case, your many strengths, talents and loves have blossomed and continue to grow.

I was brought to tears to know what happened when you shared your potential home with your Mom. I sensed her affirmation of the house affirmed you in ways you craved all your life.

You are something, Loren Olson. Happy Birthday❗️

What Keeps Me Awake's avatar

Tears? Thank God. Someone once told me that good writing has to bring tears, at least once, preferably twice. I keep trying for two.