Yesterday, I got a frantic text message from my sister.
“Do you have my copy of “He Shall Feed His Flock?” Jim and I are singing Sunday!
I didn’t think I had it, but I don’t like to disappoint my sister. I also know that my music files are in need of reorganization, weeding out excess, and general clean up. It’s a project I’ve been meaning to do…so, I put other things aside and started to dig in.
Two hours later, my floor was covered with piles of choir music, Easter music, Christmas music, children’s choir, piano, organ, and popular tunes. I was deep in the “messy middle” and flooded with memories of my mother, my teachers, musicians I’ve accompanied, students, and music I love. I found music I’d forgotten about, music I still want to learn, and some I was ready to let go to recycling or donation.
Another text message incoming!
“Jim found it!”
My heart sank a little looking at the incomplete task all around me. I gave myselt permission to take a break and continue the purge later.
Later was this morning. Among the treasures I found were these two drawings from a young Korean piano student I taught about twenty years ago. It made me happy to remember how cute he was when learning a little piece in “blues” style.
Many areas of my home are needing this kind of attention. The drive to clean out, simplify, and create space is real at this stage of my life. The challenge is to break it down into manageable chunks. My music chunk is done for now. That feels good even if it took a frantic text message to get me moving.
Thank you to all who make this writing space
a place of safety, support, and beauty.
pelicansandprose 
You had me sitting with you as you saw all the treasures around you. The weeding it takes at this stage of the game is hard for me. As I look at the retirement door, I know there are many memories waiting for my discovery. Where should I put them all?
Those drawings are priceless. So glad that you came across them. I enjoyed how you took the hunt for this piece and related all the positives about it- the memories attached to the various sheets. It is great when cleaning can also bring heartfelt smiles.
I need to do the same in my house. The morning on the radio they were talking about this very task and said, EDIT first (Do I use it? Do I need it? Do I want it?) THEN take a break and organize next. Still seems awfully daunting. Good luck!
I think those questions are very helpful in the process. Good luck!
‘Deep in the “messy middle” and flooded with memories…’ says so much. Isn’t that flood of memories what makes this task so daunting? But now you shared these two precious pictures (the details!) at least and can let them go 🙂 two pages out of how many?! When I do this work I recycle lots, give away some, and somehow the remainder seems to have “fluffed up” to require the same amount of space!
I’m being flippant, but I know these are deep personal memories and associations. I realize what music and your history with it means to you.
What a treasure of a drawing! I, too, am trying to clean out and purge, and yes, it is overwhelming; your insight about taking a chunk at time is excellent.
Marilyn, it sounds like that chore was a wonderful trip down memory lane. I remember you saying that you don’t often finish things, but you did finish this!