I debated on whether or not I should post this, but then I realized something very important... This is our journey, and I have to share what and when I feel led and able to do so. Last year when we had just made our big move, I joined an organizing group on Facebook. It was one of my first groups of that nature. After seeing how much stuff we had to move, store, and throw away-I had to get a new strategy for our new home. I would regularly post in the group and loved the interaction with the other members as we rooted each other on for successfully decluttering, organizing and upcycling our spaces. I had found a place on the internet where I received support and could learn new things. I would often share with Patrick about the gems I gathered, and he'd watch curiously as I implemented new hacks and storage systems.
Several days after our loss, I remember being in a fog; trying to understand and process what just happened. So, I wrote. One of the things that I wrote was a post in the Organizing Facebook group. I had shared with the group before about decluttering and donating items, and I was now going to tell them that I had joined the subgroup of people who were making decisions about what to do with the belongings of a lost loved one. So, here is the post. It gives a lot of information, but also insight into just how numb and confused I was in those initial days. I'm still not far from that space now, but even in my darkness I hoped to help someone. The post received over 4,000 likes. I don't know if it was the tips shared or the heart wrenching story of my loss.
The Post
Hey everyone! This was one of my absolute favorite groups when I was on here. I shared a few months back that I unexpectedly lost my husband. He was 39 we had been married for 16 years and had seven beautiful children. I will be leaving Facebook , but this is not an announcement. This just to update you guys on some things that I’ve discussed here. One of the last posts was about his clothing. Before all of this happened, I had paid special attention to the posts about what
to do with someone’s belongings once they were no longer with us. Those posts stood out to me, and my heart went out to each person. I would’ve never in my life thought that I would join the club so soon.
Here’s what I did and what I’m working through.
*Get life insurance
My husband had a small policy with his job that did not offer as much as we used to have. So, I immediately got life insurance*for myself *, enough to payoff *a home at minimum*
Ladder or AAA has good rates *hoping to save someone some time looking, it took me a while. Friendly help, no ad*

*Organize your important paperwork
I bought an accordion file for all of his information, and a separate one for me and my kids. I ordered all new copies of any missing paperwork like Social Security card or birth certificates. Any investments and things like that I put it in there and let my kids and my closest family members know where the file was. I would also include any vehicle or home warranties or any contracts that are outstanding. 
*  Label your unimportant or old paperwork. Throw it out if you can! Do not want someone having to go through all of this for you.
*  Lastly when it came to his clothes, I kept all of his shirts some of his pants, but I washed and gave away a lot of things that we didn’t need to keep. I was glad that I washed them so that I can get rid of them quickly Without overthinking it. 
It’s been almost 6 months. Our family and faith community has been everything to us.
The grace and comfort of God is holding us together. He was a huge deal to so many, especially us. He loved everyone 
*Overwhelmed with the beautiful responses, truly *
*Pictured above is an entryway bench that Patrick and I refinished. It was our last project*
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