When someone dies

What do you do with your loved one's belongings when that person dies?

I remember when my Dad died my Mom gave me his red and blue striped bathrobe. I loved that bathrobe and it reminded me of all the things I loved about him. There was something about seeing my Dad in that robe that gave me a sense of safety, of love, of happiness. I can picture him now wearing it and his smile that made me feel special.
So when my gave me the robe, I hung it on a hook where I could see it every day. On very cold nights I would occasionally put it on just to feel his presence. But as more time went by I kept thinking this robe needs a better home. It is something my Dad wore daily and so there should be someone else who would honor it with daily wear.
Then I thought about my brother Adam who lives in Florida. He has an outdoor shower,which due to the heat in Florida, he uses daily. So when his birthday rolled around in August, I packed up the robe and shipped it off to him. I knew my brother would absolutely flip for this gift and I was right. He said it was the best present he could ever receive. I like thinking about him wearing this robe to and from that outdoor shower and how much my Dad would approve…way more than a towel wrapped around Adam's waist. I mean really what would the neighbors think!
So how about you? Are you keeping some one's clothes because they remind you of that loved one? Are they sitting unused in a box, a closet, a drawer? Think about someone who just might enjoy wearing those clothes.
For me, I know my Dad is happy to see my brother wearing his robe.

Open the windows

Don't you love this time of year? Days are longer. The weather is hotter. I instantly want to shed the layers of clothing and feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. I think that my home feels that way too. 

It is time to open the windows, air out the closets and shed the layers of winter clutter. For some, this is not an easy task. The bedrooms feel full and the closets are stuffed to the brim.

Here are some of my quick easy tips:

1. If you have kids, go through their clothes and pull out all the clothes that are now too small and put them in a bag for donation. 

2. Sort through all the books your kids read over the year and decide which ones can now be donated to your library. Have your kids participate. They may surprise you and say they are ready to donate their books. Your attachment to a favorite book and their attachment may be very different. I also suggest while you are at the library for everyone to get a library card. 

3. Get a couple clear bins and sort through all of your holiday decorations by category - Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween. Any ornaments you didn't use, put them in a bag for donation.

4. Go through your winter clothing and any clothes you didn't wear, it is time now to take them out of your closet and donate them. Think of it like you are pruning a tree of its dead leaves. You are creating space for new leaves to bloom.

5. Tackle that pile of clothes that need a button or stitch. If you don't have time, take them to your local dry cleaner. You may be surprised that its not that expensive and the task gets done! 

6. Get a vacuum/mop and thoroughly clean the closets.

7. Take the bags to a donation shop and collect your tax deductible receipt.

Sometimes just doing these simple steps will motivate you to tackle other cluttered areas of the home. 

Now go ahead an open the bedroom windows and open the closet doors and enjoy the cool breeze. 

Happy Summer.