hubby and I are planning to go into Assisted Living.

[llmart]

118. For some reason I'm an oddball.

I never had the desire to amass material things. Yes, when my two kids were at home I had stuff because, well, just because you do when you have kids. But once they grew up and left home, I slowly started giving them the stuff if they wanted it. When I was about 50 I really got into downsizing and getting rid of stuff and I can say there has never been one darned thing that I got rid of that I miss or can't live without. Now I live alone and it is such a good feeling to have just what you need, be able to put your hands on something when you need it, and have open space and clear areas to move around.

It was a very conscious decision on my part to get rid of the stuff. Stuff just bogs you down and saps your energy. You may think that my house probably looks bare, but I can guarantee you that almost everyone that comes into my house always comments on how peaceful, serene and welcoming a place it is.

I never wanted to burden my two grown children with going through all sorts of crap after I'm gone. Take my word for it - most of the younger generation do not want your old stuff anyway. I have heard so many people actually get angry at their dead parents for leaving the mess for them to clean up. I live in a senior community and when someone dies, their grown children have an estate sale for whatever they can sell and whatever's left after three days they call the dumpster people to come get it all. I've witnessed that many, many times.