Journal Decisions in Postcards 4

Contents of half the “Attic.”

With George’s help, the contents of half the attic, that space behind the doors above the closet, was brought down. What’s there?

The red pillows. Pillows to change the living room from blue to red.
Quilts. One and a half boxes of collectible quilts. One box of stuffed animals most of which were made by G’s mother Ruby.

There are also eight boxes of my journals. Eight heavy, cumbersome containers filled with me. Not just my words, or my drawings, or the ephemera of my life, but filled with the person I am today. They are my memories, and my big ongoing project since 1974. From drug induced madness through a lucky life to old age. I have trouble thinking of putting them in the trash.

Bobbie suggested that I throw them away. I have thought of donating them and did send off one letter. Now there they sit weighting down my thinking. There are four more boxes in the garage, five smaller archival boxes in the living room, and one up here behind my computer.

I have made one decision about them. Enough. No more day to day boxed ephemera starting now. I’ll save the medical stuff for a year then out it goes. I’ll save the pictures of each year to a disc of some sort. Blog entries to a disc of some sort too. It’s a fuss to save each entry with its picture, but I shall begin doing that now. This is one decision that will lighten my life.

Christmas ornaments and wrapping paper wait for me in the other half of the attic.