Monday, November 17, 2008

Gratitude

I am a keeper. I can't get rid of things. It takes me at least one year to decide whether or not I throw away some item of clothing - most times. I look at it, put it aside and about 6 months later am capable of doing what I should have done 6 months before - donate. I know, since I am aware of this process, why don't I just skip the 6 months to a year and donate? I can't. I am cluttery, too. Many of you are nodding, especially if you lived with me in college, or growing up, or now, or haven't lived with me at all but come to my house and hear me apologize for how cluttery it is. Want to hear another totally inane thing about me? I so want to clear it out but I literally get paralyzed when I need to. I can't decide what to tackle first. I can't decide what I need to keep and where to put it. I can't decide why I kept it in the first place, there must have been a very good reason. It is making me dizzy right now just writing about it. Give me a minute....

So tonight for family night, we talked about how we have so much and how others may not. We asked the kids to help us fill a box of their toys so that we can donate them. That was an hour ago, I can still hear Eli upstairs asking that we never do family night again if it entails losing his toys. The ridiculous thing, most of what we were putting in there has not been played with in years, if at all. He already has spent 10 minutes in his room because I couldn't take the excruciating whining and crying. I know, I teach lessons so well by getting impatient and snippy. Caroline was useless seeing as she just did handstands and drew up some maps. Joey was quite entertained, we unearthed a bunch of toys that are right up his alley.

Eli comes by this attitude of being overwhelmed when asked to whittle things down a bit naturally, he is his mother's son. I can't stand this personality trait of mine, and believe me I work on it every day. Luckily Dave is not a clutter bug. But I am a clean freak, I liked things washed down, wiped up - Dave is less of this.

We did manage to fill a couple of boxes and I am sure if I let Dave loose, our basement would be quite empty - good toys gone, too. The other day I went through our children's books, filling a box. That was hard because I think most books are priceless.

So what am I grateful for? Abundance. We don't have a lot, we have sufficient plus some. I am grateful that I can donate to others. I am grateful that my children can learn to give to others. I am grateful that I can count among my many blessings a roof over my family's head, warm blankets, food in our tummys, shoes to cover our feet, clothing to cover and protect our bodies (and let's face it, most people look much better without all their stretch marks and jigglies exposed, or at least I do), toys to keep us entertained, a washer and dryer in my home. There is plenty more.

I am also grateful for a husband that at this minute is getting the kids calmed down, Joey in bed, and fingers crossed, doing the dishes.

6 comments:

Paige said...

Whit..I know from watching my sister that husbands decide to declutter and throw away all the toys. All the fun toys that the kids play with. My brother in law is permanently grounded from throwing toys away because he doesn't know what they play with on a daily basis. Funny. And I can't wait to see your house that I'm sure is absolutely perfect.

leandparkermakes3 said...

Funny! We did this yesterday, too! It's amazing the things we accumulate.

Natalie said...

Oh, so good and so true Whit! Like I've said before you are such an extremely great writer. Loved the color post and pictures too! What is the project you painted?? Is it painted on the wall, for the kiddos to meausre themselves??? UNBELIEVABLE....all your talent!!!

Molly said...

oooohhhh...if you ever get serious about de-cluttering, let me come!!! I get the most sick satisfaction out of those kind of projects. Before the twins were born, I used to do Enrichment presentations on Organization/De-cluttering and had a small little business with clients that I helped with their homes. Seriously, it's bizarre how much I love it. :) Call me!!!

Amanda said...

Yeah, I'm a thrower-awayer. Excessively so. I don't keep anything I haven't worn in a year, I purge toys seasonally, and nary a happy meal toy stays in my house for more than a day. I've been in your house a few times, and it is not cluttery - it's charming! It is inviting and friendly and it smiles; especially the green.

Miss(Michelle) said...

me too...we just got rid of 3 bags of toys and some big ones too...poor baby Avery will only have big girl toys left to play with at the rate I am going. But when each kid has their closets full with toys...plus a book shelf full of junk in each room...plus a game room overflowing with toys...not to mention the secret hide out under the stair in my craft room. I think we have too much. So off it goes...along with a pink and zebra armoire...a pine dresser and armoire...and a lovely navy leather recliner.
Good bye old friends...hope your new life is better.
See ya in TX next week. YEE HAW!!