Possessions
Two years ago this month I spent almost a few weeks in my late mother’s apartment clearing all her belongings. It was at the height of a state of emergency in Japan with COVID. The two weeks of required quarantine after arriving from the U.S. were entirely spent in the small space where mom lived for 30+ years, 20 of which were by herself after my father passed away. At that point I could not communicate with my mother in the hospital because by then she was no longer coherent. I sorted everything, disbursed to a few friends and relatives, recycled, donated, and finally disposed of whatever I couldn’t find a sustainable place for.
Still I brought home some of the dishes and tons of photographs. Even though I do use the favorite wine and/or sake glasses and dishes occasionally, I haven’t touched the box of photos since then. I had a vague idea of scanning them and compiling a digital album or something, but the box is sitting in my work room untouched.
I know any of us who grew up mostly in the 20th century probably has boxes of photos somewhere in their possessions unless there was a chance to digitize everything. I still have 30 or so volumes of photo albums spanning from my birth to my 30s occupying a chunk of space in my house. It’s been my “intention” to slowly start digitizing them so I can free up the space. Although I did make a small progress and had a box of loose photos and slides scanned, the thought of going through all those albums is daunting.
Now, at the age of 62, I find myself contemplating the future and how I want to spend my later years. Health-wise, I am fortunate to be in good condition, with no immediate end in sight. Yet, the desire to travel light and unburden myself from the weight of material possessions persists. There is a certain liberation in letting go, in freeing ourselves from the physical objects that tie us to the past. However, I recognize that I am still far from achieving this goal.
As I consider the years ahead, I am reminded of the importance of cherishing memories while embracing the present. It’s not just about digitizing photographs or reducing physical clutter; it’s about finding a balance between holding onto what truly matters and being able to let go of what no longer serves a purpose. It’s about creating space, both physically and mentally, to fully experience life as it unfolds.
So, as I stand at this crossroads, I am aware that the task ahead may seem daunting, but it is not insurmountable. I may not know how long my journey will be, but I am resolved to take those first steps. The photographs and albums that hold a lifetime of memories will eventually find their place in the digital realm, and I will embrace the freedom that comes with traveling light. For now, I am grateful for the reminder to cherish what remains, to reflect on the past, and to envision a future unencumbered by the weight of possessions.