Right before our weekend in the Berkshires, I did a deep clean of all my childhood, high school and college papers; 'twas a lengthy process, sometimes boring, sometimes baffling (due to the realization of how much I have learned in my life just to promptly forget), often entertaining (little Alison writing a letter to MLK appreciating that "he tried" but ultimately failed to fix racism, or my horrifying self-portrait featuring craggle rock teeth), and illuminating (apparently I have always been bad with scissors and telling time on an analog clock, and have wanted to be in healthcare since age 3).
This was so timely. Earlier year, my siblings and I went through my parents house, which had been in the family for over a century. I don't think anyone ever through anything away. This exercise made me realize that I needed to get a handle on my own stuff. I am making slow but steady progress. I am in the same boat as Grandma Phyllis as I to have been unable to go through the cookbooks. As you say: there will always be leftovers!
So glad this resonated. Family homes are full of surprises and secrets, I think, so I hope there have been moments of satisfaction amidst the rote process of organizing! Getting our stuff together is iterative, but I'm glad to hear you're making way. Good luck!
I loved reading this! Your grandma Phyllis was a great saver of memorabilia and it’s wonderful for the family that she preserved so much, and has an archivist like you to help preserve it all. We went through grandpa Manny’s desk and files meticulously; someday I’ll tell you why.
No, he randomly put $20 bills in his file folders. He knew we’d go through every file that way. He was an original! I think of him every day, grandma Betty too.
Simply brilliant.
I will read this again and again.
As you well know, Grammie Van lived by Recommendation #4. I learned from the best!
She could also pack for an international trip of arbitrary length in less than 3 hours.
Somehow, I think those skills are related.
Right before our weekend in the Berkshires, I did a deep clean of all my childhood, high school and college papers; 'twas a lengthy process, sometimes boring, sometimes baffling (due to the realization of how much I have learned in my life just to promptly forget), often entertaining (little Alison writing a letter to MLK appreciating that "he tried" but ultimately failed to fix racism, or my horrifying self-portrait featuring craggle rock teeth), and illuminating (apparently I have always been bad with scissors and telling time on an analog clock, and have wanted to be in healthcare since age 3).
This was so timely. Earlier year, my siblings and I went through my parents house, which had been in the family for over a century. I don't think anyone ever through anything away. This exercise made me realize that I needed to get a handle on my own stuff. I am making slow but steady progress. I am in the same boat as Grandma Phyllis as I to have been unable to go through the cookbooks. As you say: there will always be leftovers!
So glad this resonated. Family homes are full of surprises and secrets, I think, so I hope there have been moments of satisfaction amidst the rote process of organizing! Getting our stuff together is iterative, but I'm glad to hear you're making way. Good luck!
I loved reading this! Your grandma Phyllis was a great saver of memorabilia and it’s wonderful for the family that she preserved so much, and has an archivist like you to help preserve it all. We went through grandpa Manny’s desk and files meticulously; someday I’ll tell you why.
Did he hide any $2 bills in his belongings? I seem to remember someone joking about that!
No, he randomly put $20 bills in his file folders. He knew we’d go through every file that way. He was an original! I think of him every day, grandma Betty too.
He was always a step ahead of everyone else!