Out with the old...

Recently I found myself spring cleaning my closet and a few boxes I had stored in the attic. These boxes hadn't been opened in 7 years and I felt it was time to come to terms with the past and get rid of unnecessary things.

Box 1 contained documents. Some were related to the house my ex-husband I shared, others were old bills that never were trashed or shredded. Those items were easy to trash and move on from. The box was then filled with things that needed to be stored which were collecting dust on my book shelf.

Box 2 contained all old photos. These spanned from my childhood through my relationship with my ex-husband. Although I thought it would be difficult to look through them, I found myself at peace with it all. It was heartwarming to reminisce through the good times we shared in the 6 years we were together. I found pictures I'd even forgotten existed. Photos of a young Jackie in high school, photos of my first and only trip to Las Vegas, and family photos that were once thought to be long lost.

Box 3 was the best one of all. It contained all my old books, notebooks my friends and I would use as a form of communication in school, back before cellphones and texting weren't the norm, letters from friends who have since past away, poetry I had written in my youth, etc. It was very nostalgic to see the evolution of my writing throughout my young life. It rekindled my passion for all things literary and gave me the push to keep writing. I might not become a famed writer with hundreds of books published, though finishing my novel and getting it published will be a dream come true.

These boxes were to me, a reminder of the life once lived and the journey taken to live the life I'm living now. Every difficult situation, every tear shed in sadness, every struggle and strife has brought me to this happy, joyous place in my life.

Everyday life gives you a surprise. Appreciate them for in the end they are but a memory. Enjoy life to the fullest.

Jackie