Steps in moving

 



I've moved several times in the last three years, changing offices and residences.  I've packed, unpacked, tossed, and salvaged.  Here is how it goes:

Tape up box.  Take stack of books off shelf.  Dump them in the box. Decide you don't need your college calculus text anymore.  Look inside the cover and see your 18 year old self's handwriting. Cry.

Tape up box. Take stack of file folders from drawer. Dump them in the box. Decide you aren't yet ready to part with your graduate school mentor's handwritten notes and comments on your papers. Cry.

Tape up box. Take clothes from drawer. Wonder why you ever bought that green shirt. Toss it in the donate pile. Debate about tossing an old t-shirt from graduate school. Cry.

Tape up box. Take contents of drawer. Dump them in the box. Find old datebooks from 20 years ago.  Flip through the pages and try to remember who these people were that you were meeting and why you met them. Laugh. Then cry.

Tape up box. Take student papers out of file drawer. Fondly remember some great students. Walk to the recycle bin. Dump them in.

Tape up box. Take pictures of your family from dresser top. Remember some of the events. Smile.

Tape up box. Take contents from kitchen cupboard. Find spices purchased 20 years ago for a recipe you made once. Toss them. Toss them all.

Tape up box. Take pictures from walls and desk. Carefully put them in the box. Remember your sons drawings. Cry. The gifts from departed friends. Cry. The thank-yous from students. Cry.

Tape up box. Open drawer filled with pens, staples, paper clips and other miscellany. Close drawer.

Take a walk.