It is not easy leaving a place you have called home for so many years. There are many special memories and many treasured things within those walls. How does one even get started with such a big moving journey? Your spouse has died, and some time has passed. Now you may need to look at other living accommodations.
This past week I visited a dear friend whom I have been walking with since her husband died. She is a widow who had made plans to move to an assisted living complex for seniors. She would not only leaving her home of 50 + years, but also her community, her church and her church family.
She has given me permission to share some of her thoughts about her move. The message I took from her story was that she was not alone in this decision making; that God had His hand in this plan. Everything seemed to flow so smoothly, quickly and so orderly. Her children could come and help at different times. Her clergy gave her support and encouraged her to find a new church family within her new community. Things seemed to fall into place for her and she felt blessed indeed. It is in sharing her story; that you, the readers, may gain insight to your own upcoming moving journey.
One of the hardest moments for her was to hear that her name had come up as next in line for the housing complex. This was a shock to her system. She had just put her name on the waiting list for the housing complex -how could her name come up so fast? "I am not ready to move", she thought. An answer did not flow from her lips freely saying she would make this move.
Take time to think about this move. Tell the housing firm you will return their call in a few days with an answer about moving into their complex. With the help of family and friends you will talk over the pros and cons of the move. You may have gone to visit the complex again; everything looks great - and it looks so plush- almost more than what you could dream about! Now You must be the one to say if this move is right for you, and if you are ready to move.
Having the support of family and friends is important. Are you looking forward to this move or are you looking backward; how can you leave this place? Having the ability to look forward and seeing that the next place can also be home is helpful and positive.
Starting that moving process will seem like an impossible task. Allow family and friends to help in the moving. You have the right to say what will be moved and what will stay or be sold. Start packing up boxes and bags as soon as you have made the decision to move.
It may be helpful to sort things in categories and label items well:
Things you wish to take with you.
Things that you can give away- (e.g.) Salvation Army, Good Will, The Diabetic Association, or a church group - knowing that good items will be used is comforting.
Things that some of the family members may want (some may have asked for items already)
Things that will go to recycle or into the garbage
Things you are not too sure about at present - and this category you can go over at a later date and you may have new insight of what you will do with these items.
If you have made up your mind to move Look ahead! Dream big! This new place can also be a beautiful home.
All things happen for a reason. Someone is watching over you. You are not alone in this move.
Margaret Anne Yost nursed for 35 years, working mostly on medical floors. She has journeyed with many clients who were dying, and she tried to comfort their families during this difficult time. She has completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education.
Returning back to school she completed classes from the Red River College in the areas of Gerontology, Bereavement, Death and Dying. She was enrolled eight years in lay ministry training. At present, she enjoys her role at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton in the area of parish work. For the past ten years she has also been employed at Bailey's Funeral Home working in the area of Continuing Care.
Comments and articles may be forwarded by mail to: Margaret Anne Yost, P.0. Box 554 Melville, Sask. S0A 2P0
Or phone 1-306-621-9877 (9 am-5 pm) or at home 1-306-728-4744 (evenings).
