With the acceptance of the fact that we’re going to have to move also comes the necessity to go through our things, to downsize. This means I need to finally start going through Paulie’s things which still take up a respectable amount of space in the garage.
Today I went through 3 of his boxes, which still smell of cigarettes smoke that seems fresher than it should. I even found something he was writing shortly before he died and a picture he drew for me. I selected a few nice empty scrapbooks and notebooks to keep for myself, and will give the others away. I went through his box of papers, promo and resume files, pulled out some poetry and photos and recycled the rest. I picked some books I’d like to read, and will give away/bookcross the others.
I haven’t decided about the Mahjong set yet, maybe I’ll learn to play. I made a good start, and went from three big boxes to one small one. I’m not sure what’s harder to let go of as I sift through my possessions – things from my childhood, or all I have left of my dear friend. He’s still sorely missed. The last time I saw him alive was in this house, and it seems odd that we’ll be moving to a place he’ll never enter.
