Postby Harriet » Fri Feb 22, 2013 12:03 pm
My dCousinMary and I had a long talk this a.m. by phone. She and her brother (dOldestBoyCousin) and her 2 deceased sibling's children - so, 6 or 7 people I guess - have decluttered, given away, donated, inherited and completely cleaned out my dear aunt's home. (She died between Thanksgiving and Christmas). DOldestBoyCousin and family will move in to it when a few repairs and painting are done. He was staying there every other day anyway, taking care of his mother one day and going home the next, while Mary took her day.
She said it was very hard to do. There were times to just sit on the bed and have tears at how overwhelming it was, and she thought they might wear the carpet out (not from transporting things here to there, but from pacing with indecision of what to do with things), but it is done. Most people in the family accepted meaningful items, except for one of dear aunt's grandsons, who believes he doesn't want anything because it is too painful, so Mary is hiding the box of things they chose for him until he is older. Now the work that's needed can be done, and it can be home to the next generation, as a house is meant to be. I am SO proud of all of them.