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My Life in Pieces
Parenting
My Life in Pieces
That’s a pretty good question, and the answer is a bit tangled. I’ve always been a bit of a pack rat, holding onto everything just in case. But just in case of what? A tax return from 1995? An electric bill from 1993? Proof that I visited the eye doctor in 1997?
My daughter, Lily, was busy shredding paper. Vvvrrr. The sound was music to my ears! But then something caught my attention—a letter addressed to my husband: “Dear Mark, We are pleased to inform you that your student loan has been settled.” Ah, I remembered my husband at the kitchen table of our first apartment, writing that check right after we got married.
“Here,” I said to Lily, handing her the letter. Vvvrrr. I watched her shred paper after paper. What else was in that pile? After a few moments, I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Wait!” I exclaimed.
A collection of receipts lay scattered before me. One was for copies made at a local store, another for faxes sent from a pharmacy, and one for an old answering machine. Who even makes copies these days? Do people still fax?
I picked up a bill with a preschool’s name at the top. Instantly, I was back in the moment I dropped off my little one, bending down as she hugged me tightly before heading into class. Now, I’m the one reaching up for those hugs.
“Can I get back to this now?” Lily asked.
“Just a minute.”
Oh! A check stub for $303 I won from a radio contest when I answered the question: “What never stops growing?” Answer: “Your nose!”
And what’s this? A pay stub from that trade magazine I worked at in my late twenties. My boss had set me up to meet a reporter, and two years later, Mark and I were married. The job was stressful and low-paying, but it led me to my wonderful husband.
Nearby, I found a faded receipt from the vet for our beloved tabby cat who passed away 12 years ago. Next to it, a receipt for $20 from the SPCA when we adopted a tiny black-and-white kitten shortly after.
So many papers. What should I keep? I started thinking—if I weren’t around, would anyone care about these papers? Would I want someone else sorting through my life? The thought was a bit heavy, so I focused on the present. I reminded myself that if the papers stayed, so did the memories. Each time I glance at these papers, time freezes for just a moment, like when I look at a photo and am transported back to a special day. I’d never part with my pictures, but the paper clutter? That’s another story.
“Mom’s at it again!” Lily called out to Mark, glancing at the pile of documents as she awaited her $5 reward.
“Alright,” I replied. “You can take these.”
Vvvrrr. Just as she inserted the next paper, I snatched the pile, holding it close to my chest to prevent any from slipping away, and walked off. Maybe when I feel the urge to declutter again, these papers will finally make it to the shredder. But for now, I’m keeping them—and the memories they hold—a little longer.
If you’re interested in further insights on family planning, check out this post on home insemination. For those seeking fertility support, Make a Mom is a great resource. And for essential information on pregnancy, visit WomensHealth.gov.
Summary:
In a humorous and reflective piece, Sarah shares her journey of sifting through years of accumulated paperwork, revealing cherished memories tied to each document. While grappling with the need to declutter, she realizes the sentimental value of these papers, holding onto them a little longer as she reminisces about her past with her family.