Collectibles......

This week I have checked a major task off of my to-do list. Create.....or should I say Re-create my "Last Will and Testament". Of course, this made me experience a host of emotions while sorting out my thoughts of how it would all land on paper. In my deliberations I felt pensive, laughed out loud, wiped tears from my cheek, and felt overwhelmed with all of the details to include. But the thought that kept creeping back to my brain was.....   How did I end up with so much stuff?!? It isn't that I feel the need to constantly  acquire new things for myself. Instead my habit is quite the opposite. But somehow, at the age of 54, I have enough stuff to supply 14 more households.....and that doesn't even count the 4 that I've already done!

I have laughed at this word "collectible" for years because my dear, sweet mother commonly uses it when she has a gift for any of her children or grandchildren. The funny part to me is a) who decided all these things should be deemed as "special" when most of them can be found at a sundry of places, and  b) society implies that if it is a "collectible" then it might be of great monetary value to us someday....but if something is truly special why on earth would I want to ever sell it!

But that's not all we collect, and it seems that we might even do it unknowingly. I mean really....how many pens and pencils do we all have in our possession right now?  Most importantly, how can I make myself throw them away even though I know that 'no way-no how' will I EVER use them all in my lifetime. Once I began looking around I couldn't help but laugh at all of the saving, hoarding, recycling, and storing that is going on right here under my nose. Oh wait.....does that mean I'm the culprit?? There's more screwdrivers, random sheet sets, 'might need this' picture frame, 'might find this' other earring, socks who miss their mate, and piles and piles of who knows? what else. Not to mention, although it often is, the dozens of  recycled baggies and every plastic storage container that even crosses my way.

So.....with the reality as it is, I have to make yet another decision.  Could I possibly change this part of me before my loved ones are left to read that final document that symbolizes my life in a neat little picture of assets and net worth? I think not! My hope is that when the day arrives that they are overlooking my Grand Collection as their own that they will spend it in communion...... with laughter, teasing, rolling of the eyes, sweet tears, and thoughtful moments of the many joys that were held. Yes! That all of these "collectibles" are certain to have much meaning in the end.

Footnote: I suspect much of this activity will be had with a trash can nearby :) Thank goodness!