There’s an art to getting people to part with their things. Some people have it, some rush in like a bull in a china shop and set themselves up for disaster, usually with their parents or grandparents. All those family dynamics get involved, buttons get pushed, it gets worse.
Coincidentally, my younger friend Meredith, who is currently dealing with transitions around her beloved Grandpa Ford, sent these thoughts this morning: “What to say about the hard and holy work of undoing and unbecoming? It can be tender. It can be terrible. And when approached with humility and loving kindness? It can be transformative. Among many other things.” Well said, my friend.
Helping loved ones navigate successfully into new stages is the hardest, most holy work we get to do on this planet. Being in the room when the ones who brought us into the world go out of it, is an experience like no other.
Another younger friend of mine who seems to be an expert at this is named Liz. Liz lives in Austin TX with her husband and her teenager. A few years ago, it was necessary to move her beloved mother, Ginny, from her Virginia home to closer to her Liz.
I had the privilege of meeting them both before this move, when we joined a group of women from all over the US traveling to Israel with the wife of an Episcopal priest.
Not only were both of our moms named Ginny, there was something about Liz’s mom and their relationship that touched my heart. I could only imagine taking that trip with my mom. It was lovely to see them interact.
A couple of years and a couple of falls later, it became clear that Ginny could no longer live alone. Through social media, I watched both sides of this story unfold. Liz was frustrated because she was working full-time and there was no one in Austin to help her. No business at all dedicated to organizing and transitioning seniors. So, she took a leap of faith and founded one. It’s now her full-time company.
I can’t think of anyone who would be better at this. What we’re looking at is the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning on a professional scale – how to help well-to-do seniors let go of their 3000 square foot homes and all the possessions they won’t need in assisted living. Organizing auctions and sales. Holding hands. Sitting with tears. Moving boxes. I would think that the gift of doing this for others requires a high degree of mastery and sensitivity, which Liz has in spades.
It’s clear that this work is a labor of love. Liz’s Facebook page recently had this job posting on it, which is worth a thousand other words:
Coincidentally, my younger friend Meredith, who is currently dealing with transitions around her beloved Grandpa Ford, sent these thoughts this morning: “What to say about the hard and holy work of undoing and unbecoming? It can be tender. It can be terrible. And when approached with humility and loving kindness? It can be transformative. Among many other things.” Well said, my friend.
Helping loved ones navigate successfully into new stages is the hardest, most holy work we get to do on this planet. Being in the room when the ones who brought us into the world go out of it, is an experience like no other.
Another younger friend of mine who seems to be an expert at this is named Liz. Liz lives in Austin TX with her husband and her teenager. A few years ago, it was necessary to move her beloved mother, Ginny, from her Virginia home to closer to her Liz.
I had the privilege of meeting them both before this move, when we joined a group of women from all over the US traveling to Israel with the wife of an Episcopal priest.
Not only were both of our moms named Ginny, there was something about Liz’s mom and their relationship that touched my heart. I could only imagine taking that trip with my mom. It was lovely to see them interact.
A couple of years and a couple of falls later, it became clear that Ginny could no longer live alone. Through social media, I watched both sides of this story unfold. Liz was frustrated because she was working full-time and there was no one in Austin to help her. No business at all dedicated to organizing and transitioning seniors. So, she took a leap of faith and founded one. It’s now her full-time company.
I can’t think of anyone who would be better at this. What we’re looking at is the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning on a professional scale – how to help well-to-do seniors let go of their 3000 square foot homes and all the possessions they won’t need in assisted living. Organizing auctions and sales. Holding hands. Sitting with tears. Moving boxes. I would think that the gift of doing this for others requires a high degree of mastery and sensitivity, which Liz has in spades.
It’s clear that this work is a labor of love. Liz’s Facebook page recently had this job posting on it, which is worth a thousand other words:
Austin Home Transitions is seeking persons who are organizing gurus and love to set up living spaces. AHT focuses on life transitions for seniors. Typically, we are moving them into retirement communities
AHT needs peeps who:
+ love to organize and have a good eye
+ have a strong work ethic
+ can work as needed
+ can work long days
+ don’t require regular income or benefits
+ don’t require a predictable schedule
+ can lift boxes weighing 5-10 pounds
+ love working with our senior community
Most moves are
+ Day 1 = Pack (6-8 hrs)
+ Day 2 = Off (movers load & unload)
+ Day 3 = Unpack & Organize (7-9 hrs)
Interested? Text, or send an email
This is very rewarding work!
I’ll just leave that right there while calling your attention to the honesty in the words.
I don’t pretend to approach this level of mastery anywhere in my own cleaning process, for myself or for others. It’s hard when you can’t see the forest for the trees, and that’s where organizers come in. If you can afford one to help your family make the tough decisions, it’s likely worth every penny.
Someday, even after all the work we’ve done already, my daughter and I may have to find out.
I don’t pretend to approach this level of mastery anywhere in my own cleaning process, for myself or for others. It’s hard when you can’t see the forest for the trees, and that’s where organizers come in. If you can afford one to help your family make the tough decisions, it’s likely worth every penny.
Someday, even after all the work we’ve done already, my daughter and I may have to find out.
Resources:
To see more of Meredith’s lovely writing, go here:
https://www.wordmadelife.com/meredith/
Austin Home Transitions: https://www.austinhometransitions.com/who-we-are/
To see more of Meredith’s lovely writing, go here:
https://www.wordmadelife.com/meredith/
Austin Home Transitions: https://www.austinhometransitions.com/who-we-are/
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