Member-only story
Cleaning Out the House in the Midst of a Pandemic

Great timing — our house went on the market just as the coronavirus crisis hit. We only had one showing that first week due to financial uncertainty and fear. Since then, none. Should we let strangers into our house anyhow? Probably not.
In lieu of knowing what to do about trying to sell our house and move in these frightening times, we have made the sorting and donating and discarding a DYI project, our #stayathome approach to being seniors who should avoid exposure to COVID-19 at all costs. Every day since March 13, the last day we both went out for planned doctor’s appointments, we have sheltered in place and filled time sifting through 45 years of accumulated memorabilia. Now that Illinois Governor Pritzker has extended the stay home order through April, we have plenty of time to cull through all of the things we know we won’t need and wonder how on earth we will ever sell this old house.
Getting ready for our May 15 move to a condo has been a back-breaking exercise, but it has had moments of humor and enlightenment. Because we could all use some laughter these days, here are some of my more interesting finds and insights.
I was finally forced to toss many of my kids’ treasures I had saved for 45 years in the attic and basement. Into the trash went figure skating plaques and trophies, certificates of…