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I so agree we must think of our families as wc deal with our own journey. Please, please don't leave a mess for your children or whomever will be dealing with your affairs. It almost broke me, did cause enormous stress and emotional upheaval for me to deal with my mother's home after she moved into an assisted living facility. No siblings helped. Just me going through stacks, drawers and files of papers from decades... clearing her closets and the thousands of decisions with every piece I touched. I lost a month of my life in deep distress, my business suffered, I never fully recovered. And, it deeply harmed my relationships with my family.family.Permanently. Don't rain down that pain on folks you love!
I promised myself I would clear every drawer and every closet before my death, if I have warning... my son is my only child, no husband now and he's 100% disabled.
I had an estate sale last year. Sold many precious things after checking what he wanted. I gave him some things then to enjoy while I'm alive! Felt wonderful! It was hard on him to see things go and to face realities of my mortality. But, that's a good thing.
Then, renovated my condo to accommodate my current aging needs... made my upstairs into my living area with the small bedroom a little kitchen and my master bath now a walkin showe with grab bars and a seat! Set up a recliner, files and such in a bedroom closet so I live upstairs! Love it!
Greatest gift ofvlove we can give our families! Feels wonderful! And all the legal stuff is done!
Blessings as you walk this path of life... Elizabeth
Replies to "I so agree we must think of our families as wc deal with our own journey...."
@ess77 There is actually a practice about this which was written about in a book, then made into a series. The book is called The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson
@ess77
I needed to read this, it reminds me to get my butt in gear. My mother and father (both remarried) had their affairs taken care of. My mother's passing was trying and I the medical community could have handled it better. Some things are out of our control but having all that is with in our control handled helps immensely.
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@ess77 I understand all you said and am trying to get to the clearing out for the sake of my sister who is thousands of miles away.
I also understand how it seems one family member, many times, is the one doing.
I had four siblings all living in the state and area near my parents, where we grew up.
I moved thousands miles away and did what you described, and more, with the needs of your Mother...It started with my single Aunt's passing, then Dad, then Mom and then my two single brothers.
It too often falls on one person for various reasons.
The stress of it all has a way of taking a toll on our health.
You did really well for yourself in preparation for yourself down the line.
Hope I can get around to doing it also and finalizing all necessary paperwork that now needs to be tweaked.
Barbara