At a recent graduation, two senior girls, accompanied by student musicians, sang “For Good” from the musical Wicked. I had not seen the movie nor the theater production, but the song’s lyrics were emotional, intense, and touching. The final lyrics were: “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

The word good seemed to have a double meaning: ‘forever’ and ‘better’. It was so appropriate for a celebration where friends were looking back on their experiences and forward to the unknown.

I am moving from Sterling, and the song made me think of you, my readers, and all the wonderful people I have encountered here over the last twenty-five years. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good, meaning both forever and better. Thank you!

I’m a little melancholy about the move for several reasons: I love it here and the people who live here. I love my house, my neighbors, and the ease of having all I need within walking distance.

As I’ve shared before, all change involves loss. We go through the stages of denial, bargaining, anger, depression, and release, even when we are in control of the decision. The grief process with self-induced change takes far less time—but is still necessary.

Preparing for the move has been difficult in that I had two fully furnished small homes to meld into one. In other words, I had to admit I was totally overstuffed in both homes. My poor car has been converted into a pickup truck for all the trips I’ve made to thrift stores. I usually had to wait in line to donate my treasures, so I knew I was not alone—American homes are overstuffed.

My kids took a few things, but truthfully, our children or grandchildren don’t want our stuff, or our parents’ and grandparents’ stuff. I think a lucrative, secure career would be coaching in managing hoarding, and teaching skills in organizing, letting go, and spending responsibly.

We have many problems in America, but I fear our values of bigger and better and holding on are more problematic than we want to admit.

Anyway, this move has brought the good, bad, and ugly of downsizing into focus. With everything I packed to donate, listed on Facebook to sell, and threw in the trash, I told myself, “It has to go—It’s my gift to my kids: they won’t have so much to deal with when I breathe my last.” I also found pleasure and satisfaction in knowing my “stuff” went to people who would need, use, and enjoy my handovers. Sharing gave me freedom and satisfaction.

As I say goodbye to all the wonderfulness of Sterling and to my treasures (stuff), the words from Wicked rise again: “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

Until the next time: Live while you live