I’ve been browsing blogs that discuss un-cluttering and simplifying one’s life. In the last several years, I’ve moved away from getting excited about getting Christmas and birthday presents and really would prefer experience gifts, if any, and greeting cards, especially if they were to be handmade. One of the blogs I was looking at said that every time you buy yourself something new, like an article of clothing or a book, try to donate or give away something you own in the same category that you know you will not use much.

We’ve done a few purges in this apartment since I have moved in. For the most part, I think I have been pretty good about getting rid of clothes that I don’t wear much anymore, especially since I tend to get bored of my wardrobe very quickly. I think I need to do another purge, especially since some items, I admittedly do not wear at all, but I keep them for sentimental reasons, which is a good and a bad thing.

I still have the comforter, comforter cover, and pillow that Ed got me that  used at my old Elmhurst apartment, and although the comforter is meant for a double bed and we have a queen bed, I have no desire to give it away. In fact, I want to keep it forever. I took out the pillow from the storage area today to see how fluffy and firm it was, and it’s just as I remember it the last time I used it over two years ago. I don’t want to get rid of anything my brother has given me even if it does take up extra space in my living quarters. It’s like all I have left of him that is tangible now that he is gone. Maybe it seems impractical or desperate, but I don’t care. It represents him, his love for me, and his great generosity.