A danger of growing older is that we accumulate stuff, way too much stuff. As I scan photos of another lifetime, I am eternally grateful that I no longer have to dust all those collectibles or polish all that silver. I recently came across some jewelry in one of the bins of photos. I found a couple of sterling silver bracelets, very badly tarnished. While they will come back to Washington with me, I wonder if I’ll ever polish them or wear them.

I jokingly would tell my friends that all I have left in Winnipeg (other than my son) are bins filled with family photo albums. When I leave here later this month, that will no longer be true. The hard copies will be gone and I will be leaving absolutely nothing behind.

I found hard copies of the two books I’ve published, as well as a cookbook I co-authored as a fundraiser for Grace Hospital. I also found my baby book. So those will all accompany me to Washington as well.

I look at some of the “things” I found in those bins and wonder why I saved all of those as well. I stopped being sentimental long ago and it’s actually a relief when I toss them in the trash now. I’ve taken photos of the items and that will more than suffice.

I still have nightmares about cleaning out other’s apartments and condos when they’ve passed away and am thankful my own kids won’t have to ever go through that. Two suitcases in my closet in East Wenatchee with art supplies, clothes and a handful of memorabilia. That’s it!

A hoarder? Not me!