The Dresser

We are moving in a few weeks. We've been packing like crazy, and have a ton more to do. Instead of just throwing stuff into boxes saying we'll deal with it later -- like we usually do -- we are trying to be very conscientious of how and what we are packing. While the amount of space in the new house is the same -- maybe even more -- there is way less raw basement storage space (like, there isn't any). The new place is also loaded with built-ins, which means we don't need a lot of our furniture. It's been interesting. Honestly, it feels really good to purge. But some of it is sentimental and a bit sad to let go of. Today this dresser left the house. It was my dad's from when he was a kid. Besides the fact that they just don't make furniture like this anymore, what made it great was the little memories my dad left behind in the drawers -- like the bottom one that says "Geometry, French, English -- I must study." I know it's absolutely silly, but what makes this all so much easier for me, is that it's going to families we know. This dresser will be in the room of a friend of H's. His desk is in another. Some book shelves and a toy box are going into our neighbor's down the street. My sister-in-law is getting our bedroom set and my grandfather's vintage bar stools. The boy's baby furniture is now in the home of H's second grade teacher's house, who is expecting any day. And even their favorite toys from when they were little are making their way into the home of one particular little boy in Wisconsin who seems to be enjoying them. Now, it's just time for us to be back together. At least we are making progress.