The inside of our house is getting a much needed coat of paint. I wish we didn't have to do it, as the smell is awful and all I can think of is the amount of toxins that we are breathing in. The windows are wide open day and night and thankfully the team who are working here are lightening fast.
Another downfall with the whole process is that the painters have emptied out my cupboards. This doesn't bode well, as each space is (was) jammed pack full of dusty old files, papers and books. How is it possible to accumulate so much *stuff*?
So there I was, staring at the pile that was getting bigger and bigger and I thought to myself... right, let's do this thing, this is a great opportunity to declutter!
The first bunch of papers revealed a photo that was taken on my 40th Birthday (I am nearly 50!). Following close behind were a few primary school reports for my first born. I disposed of some old receipts relating to purchases from long ago. Then I picked up a lone piece of paper. It was actually an old fax, all dirty and worn. The print had faded in some places and a few of the words were unreadable.
I read the final line.... then looked at the date. December 2000. My second son (Nick), only 18 months of age. Ouch, that hurt.
Moving on, I came across Nick's work files. Years and years of written records, check lists, tick boxes, reams of paper telling his story and academic progress (or lack thereof). Why oh why have I been keeping all of this? Is it a betrayal of sorts to dump the lot? Would Nick feel that I am throwing away memories, a large part of his life that was? The dilemma of what to do sits within me.......
I find stacks of notes relating to conferences past, workshops attended and bucket loads of various odds and sods of information that I have gathered over the years. Newspaper articles all brown and crinkly. Beautiful children gracing the covers of Time Magazine and the like. Catalogs for books, AAC devices, PECS and advertisements for a million zillion toys that I *think* will make the difference! Do I need all of this crap? Seriously, who is going to want to look at it? Do I need the continuous reminder of all that hard work that Nick has put in? I am no longer in a dilemma. It's time to dump the lot.
I grab some black bags and start going through the stacks, bit by bit, pausing every now and then to look at what I have in my hands. At times I find an old forgotten assessment or report ~ those I put aside in order to file away under important papers! It is a time consuming job and I quickly tire of rifling through sad memories. It is all too much and I don't have any more energy for sentimentality. I don't bother going through what is left, I just pick it all up and stuff it into the bags. Be gone.
All that I have left is the photo above. I feel rather indifferent about the whole exercise; and I am fairly sure that I won't need to repeat the experience in 12 years time.
Oh, hang on a minute... I still have a room full of toys!
Moving on....
Moving on, I came across Nick's work files. Years and years of written records, check lists, tick boxes, reams of paper telling his story and academic progress (or lack thereof). Why oh why have I been keeping all of this? Is it a betrayal of sorts to dump the lot? Would Nick feel that I am throwing away memories, a large part of his life that was? The dilemma of what to do sits within me.......
I find stacks of notes relating to conferences past, workshops attended and bucket loads of various odds and sods of information that I have gathered over the years. Newspaper articles all brown and crinkly. Beautiful children gracing the covers of Time Magazine and the like. Catalogs for books, AAC devices, PECS and advertisements for a million zillion toys that I *think* will make the difference! Do I need all of this crap? Seriously, who is going to want to look at it? Do I need the continuous reminder of all that hard work that Nick has put in? I am no longer in a dilemma. It's time to dump the lot.
I grab some black bags and start going through the stacks, bit by bit, pausing every now and then to look at what I have in my hands. At times I find an old forgotten assessment or report ~ those I put aside in order to file away under important papers! It is a time consuming job and I quickly tire of rifling through sad memories. It is all too much and I don't have any more energy for sentimentality. I don't bother going through what is left, I just pick it all up and stuff it into the bags. Be gone.
I have just thrown out over twelve years worth of autism information. ABA files, TEACCH, PECS, newspaper articles, conference papers, magazines, worksheets, O.T. info, anything and everything.... except for assessments and reports.#movingon
All that I have left is the photo above. I feel rather indifferent about the whole exercise; and I am fairly sure that I won't need to repeat the experience in 12 years time.
Oh, hang on a minute... I still have a room full of toys!
Moving on....
Di writes about autism and day to day stuff over at the Bright Side of life.
Sounds courageous Di! Like you're focusing on the "Bright Side of Life". It can feel really wonderful to move on and focus on the present.
ReplyDelete@zisforzen ~ it was hard to throw it out... although much better for us all in the long run. Can't move forward if I am dwelling in the past! :)
DeleteThis reminds me of the massive amounts articles, books and papers I collected in the "early years" after R's diagnosis. Yes, it's good to purge - it brings about a certain peace. Thank you Di.
ReplyDelete@rhemashope ~ glad to hear that I am not the only one who collected so much information. Crazy days! Yes, it does bring about a certain peace. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteWe are a Full Service Moving Company and we are constantly running promotions to help with the high costs of relocating. We offer Free Estimates regularly, and our clients find that they are more accurate than anticipated. We offer exclusive service, six days a week and our dispatchers are extremely flexible.
ReplyDeletehttp:www.acclaimedmovers.com/office-movers
chenlili20150902
ReplyDeletemcm outlet
ray ban sunglasses
nike trainers
jordan 8 playoffs
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton outlet
toms wedges
michael kors outlet online
ray ban sunglasses
swarovski jewelry
cheap ran bans
nike store
michael kors outlet
hollister
nike air max 90 trainers
michael kors
nike roshe run uk
"toms outlet,toms wedges,toms.com,cheap toms,cheap toms shoes
"
adidas trainers
michael kors handbags
giuseppe zanotti outlet
replica rolex watches
louis vuitton handbags
concords 11
coach outlet
ugg boots cheap
michael kors outlet online
kate spade handbags
coach factory outlet
hollister jeans
michael kors handbags
ReplyDeleteair max 2015
ray ban
ed hardy t-shirts
atlanta falcons jersey
foamposite gold
gucci shoes
dallas cowboys jersey
the north face clearance
san antonio spurs jerseys
cheap oakley sunglasses, http://www.oakleysunglasses-outlet.us.com
michael kors uk
coach outlet, http://www.coachoutletonline-store.us.com/
michael kors outlet online, http://www.michaelkorsoutletonlinstore.us.com
ugg boots
supra footwear
herve leger dresses
mcm handbags
mulberry uk
toms outlet
cheap football shirts
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.ray-bansunglassess.in.net
nike running shoes
abercrombie and fitch
cheap wedding dresses
abercrombie
ralph lauren uk
lebron james shoes
hollister shirts
nfl jerseys wholesale, http://www.nfljerseys-wholesale.us.com/
2015908caihuali
2015-10-21 xiaozhengm
ReplyDeletenike free run 2,nike free runs,nikes,nike air max 95,nike high tops,air force 1,nike pegasus
true religion outlet
coach outlet store online
Air Jordan 4 Green Glow
Cheap Real Louis Vuitton Handbags
Michael Kors Factory Outlet Online Official
Michael Kors Factory Outlet Online Official
michael kors outlet
Coach Coupons In Coach Outlet Store Online
michael kors outlet stores
michael kors outlet
Abercrombie Short T-Shirts
michael kors outlet online
uggs australia
Louis Vuitton Outlet Quality Handbags
Coach Outlet Store Online Official Website
Cheap Real Louis Vuitton Handbags
Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM Monogram
Abercrombie and Co Stoves and Awnings
coach factory outlet
cheap oakley sunglasses
toms
nike trainers
Michael Kors Outlet Sale Online Store
Michael Kors Outlet Discount Purses Online
canada goose jackets
coach outlet
michale kors outlet
michael kors outlet
cheap jerseys
coach factory outlet
Coach Factory Outlet Online Authentic
Michael Kors Outlet Online USA Stores
ugg boots
uggs australia
ferragamo belt
ReplyDeletecheap jordans
off white clothing
louboutin shoes
supreme
goyard handbags
kobe 11
supreme
supreme
adidas ultra boost
lebron 18
ReplyDeletecurry 8 shoes
curry
golden goose sale
jordan shoes
yeezy boost 350
curry 6
retro jordans
golden goose shoes
supreme