Weeding the past

There's nothing really better than a weekend with really no plans, promises or commitments.  They happen rarely these days -- and especially heading into the "holiday season" I appreciate the gift that they are.

The VHM, boy-o and myself ran an errand this morning which consisted of driving around and not going to furniture stores (the first, too stinky and empty; the 2nd closed).  We did go to the Habitat for Humanity Restore store... and while the item we went to get had already sold; I did find a cherry red rack of some type which can easily be converted into a card rack for the Bizbaz (YAY).

The rest of the day I went through a number of boxes, confirming items to keep; throwing away some stuff (not enough) and putting a fair number into the sale/give away box.  And eventually, I tackled the "memorabilia" box.

Dad Report: Dad was in good spirits - he had another day of company yesterday and dinner out apparently with the family.  We talked about general stuff, he was pretty obsessed about some papers he received from the BC government which needed completion (his wife was going to assist him later today) -- so he looped around to it quite a bit.  Sounds like Mc and HB will be going to see him next weekend -so that will be nice for him.

So the memorabilia box is a box I keep old cards and letters in (predominantly).  I have worked to keep it to one box; and when that box starts overflowing -- well then I go through it and weed it down.  The last time I did that was some time ago (maybe almost 10 years now?) -- back in Albuquerque, and I read a lot of old stuff and cried a lot and it was quite an experience and I threw away a whole layer of my life.

This time it was similar but without the tears (though maybe if I had been alone I would have shed some).  I finally let go of all my letters from MG -- the boy I refer to as my first love.  He and I had a long history of off and on again relationship - never really officially anything but friends -- and while our contact spanned the better part of my adult life, it ended a little over 7 years ago (?) and didn't end well.  It saddened me at the time, and I guess still makes me sad on one level.  I do feel that by ending it - it finally allowed a space in my heart for someone new and that person was the VHM and for that -- I am eternally grateful.   The universe works in harsh but beautiful ways.

I did not get rid of my correspondence from family members nor did I let go of the bulk of mail from Mr. Smith.  He is perhaps the most prolific of the writers (and by far the most entertaining) and I am forever impressed by his devotion to me -- when my writing was so much less than his.  It has inspired me to write to him tomorrow - along with a few other people I owe letters to.  I miss writing actual letters and I was struck with the length of some of the letters I have received and some that I wrote (ones which were returned etc.).

Maybe one day I will be able to scan all of these things into some sort of digital format and get rid of the box... but there is something about the tangible.  Letters from Dad (?!), letters from Mom (typed out with underlines and crossed out with x's), paintings by Mr. Smith, photo cards by MC.  Letters (actual letters!) from high school crushes (WS looked so much like the VHM did when he was young, it was at that moment I realized I DO have a type).  Letters from gangster girls that lived at the halfway house with me.  My baby health record (in case I want to know how often I pooped and which breast worked better for my mom). Puzzles from Uncle Kenneth.

So a chore has been done.  Whoohoo.  Maybe tomorrow when I am writing letters - I will do some other writing.  I did find a poem I wrote, so I can transcribe that too.


Random Photo of the Day: 

VHM and Ter

This is the other accomplishment of the day:

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cake