August 21: Parting With Personal Papers

Sunday I dealt with paperwork as far back as my grandparent's wedding certificate in 1928, through my parents high school graduation certificates, and my birth certificate. My mother had saved my report cards from kindergarten to high school graduation, along with religious instruction report cards and ribbons I won in 1963. I opened envelopes with bills of sale for two cars, my marriage certificate and community college co-valedictorian certificate, and much more ... up to the purchase of my bus in 2017.

Just about all of it is bagged and ready for a bonfire. Even the yellow lined paper on which awards from, I think, sixth grade, where typed; I was named as having the best sense of humor, being the most dependable and the student who volunteered the most; I shared the title of friendliest and best social studies report.

I also washed a stack of plastic bins in which to start arranging everything, cooked a big meal, looked over planners from two years, and wrote out some vintage post cards to people who will get to throw them away.

I might be fooling myself, but it's getting easier to part with mementos from lifetimes long ago. Linens are next, followed by clothes – both from this room and the bus. And, to save my sanity, I have resigned myself to putting some items in a few bins to be stored here in the basement until I can incorporate or release them.

I admire those who won't experience this stress because they have been regularly purging their belongings.