Spring Cleaning

Spring is here and with it comes planning vegetable gardens and which flowers to plant and where. And, of course, spring housecleaning. Going through closets, dressers, storage containers, and those hidden corners in the basement and attic.

Washing windows and walls isn't what takes up the most time during spring cleaning. The most time is spent sorting through containers. There are pictures that demand being looked at and this time, a note written on the back to identify them.

Old letters, notes, school work - all require they be read word for word once more - and then most likely deciding they are too valuable to throw away.

When it comes to clothing, every item has to be inspected for tears and stains and then the decision made as to what to do with them. Do they find a new home at the local secondhand store? Maybe the children's clothing should be passed on to other families. Then again, if they are put into a yard sale, you could wind up with at least enough money to help with the new school clothes budget in the fall.

Once everything has been gone through and repacked, it usually looks as though the progress made in reducing the amount of "stuff" is minimal at best.

Far and above the time spent sorting through box after box is well spent when you look at it from the aspect of reliving the why and when the memories they evoke were created.

The same holds true when cleaning out houses and apartments in preparation for moving, or because a family member is deceased and decisions must be made as to the disposition of the contents.

In the end, we learn all this work isn't measured by time or money. It's measured in the history behind every item.

After all, how could you possibly put a price on old love letters written by your parents, or essays written by your children on how to cook a turkey, or that handmade birthday or Mother's Day or Father's Day your children so proudly gave you?