I found a beautiful wool cape in the furthest corner of my late mom’s closet. Covered in plastic, I knew the cape was important, but oh the cobwebs and dust. I sneezed a bit as I uncovered it and found myself struck dumb. I recognized what must have been her RN cape - circa early 1960s when she graduated from nursing school and began her career in the same local hospital that she would finish in 40 years later. The day had been long. The task to empty my parents’ home of more than 50 years. I was tired. I had already let go of so much to the dumpster and a very large fire. Overwhelming - but the cape, I kept.

I have been thinking so much of what we keep and what we let go as I enter a new phase: grandmother, retired from full time librarianship and teaching. The cleaning of the house exacerbated these thoughts. My mom evidently kept EVERYTHING. I can’t put my own kids through this kind of ordeal. I have been a keeper of things. I have most of the historical dishes passed down, outfits my kids wore as infants, some college notes, holiday decorations that haven’t been used in years, but sure might be. Oh - and the crafting supplies, I have a mountain. My stuff is maybe better organized, but still so much.

So, how do we decide, if it doesn’t come naturally, what to keep and what to let go? I don’t think I can just go by my feelings about things because my feelings got me here. I have watched hundreds of hours of cleaning and organizing shows in the past (Niecy Nash anyone? Peter Walsh?). I have watched all of Home Edit and Marie Kondo more recently. But I guess it was more of an exercise than an education. I’d love to think I’m going to approach this in an organized and logical way. Ummm…time will tell.

The cape was an easy keep. I will clean it, and my daughter will wear it. If you’ve read “Everyday Use” by Alice Walker (I taught it in my former life), I guess I’ve become one who uses not preserves. The heritage of my mom’s nursing will be celebrated each time the cape is worn. I will feel a tiny prick, wishing I had known it was there while mom was alive - she clearly treasured it. I wish I could hear the story of its purchase and how she felt the first time she pulled it over her shoulders.