GON Reader Letter #1
Still Learning at 98
Dear Maria,
I have just turned 98! I have lived at Kendal, a CCRC in PA, for 26 years. My husband and I moved here in 1999. We were in Independent Living for many years. He died of complications of Parkinson’s in 2011. During Covid I moved to Personal Care, and am still here.
I have been reading your column every day for a long time, and enjoy it so much. Although I am no longer ambulatory, I still learn from it. I try to keep everything within reach of my easy chair, but I also have a battery powered wheelchair to visit friends, go to the library to read newspapers and take out books, go to concerts and plays in our auditorium.
I am content. People ask me how I accept my limitations. I have lived a long, full life, I make the most of what I am able to do, and I do not dwell on things I can no longer do.
With appreciation of all you
ideas,
Fondly,
-- Rosalind Campbell
GON Reader Letter #2
The Gift of Space
Hi Maria,
One insight I gained as I read your March 23rd newsletter...we have THINGS because we thought we needed
them I realize what I need even more is SPACE...clean, uncluttered, pleasant SPACE...to breathe,
and be able to welcome people into my house without embarrassment.
Thank you for helping us in our journey towards "letting go" and, in fact, "gaining."
Warm regards,
-- Zee
GON Reader Letter #3
Perfectly Imperfect Progress
Hi Maria!
I have been receiving your daily email newsletters for years. Sometimes, it can be months between me taking the time to open them and peruse them, but the beauty of what you do isn't that we all try to follow along perfectly, but that you are there whenever we are ready.
I think accepting my own readiness and not allowing myself to be overwhelmed with organization (of our home, our bills, my MIND) was the greatest and most powerful step to fuel my motivation and be able to show myself that I am capable!
I hadn't opened an email in a while
and when I saw your March 20th issue, I knew it was speaking to me because I definitely get the spring oomph (I live in Wisconsin...). As I scrolled and saw the "Click Here," I was taken to your WONDERFUL page of complimentary downloads. I saved almost all of them and printed several (but not too many - so I don't overwhelm myself!). I love geeking out on your printables! In closing, I am writing to thank you for all you have done and do to help others. Obviously this all goes far beyond organizing our environments. It's our minds. Finding fun and quirky ways to organize our surroundings creates that necessary space in our minds to find the things we may have allowed to be covered in dust: motivation, self-appreciation, accomplishment, satisfaction, and more.
I am a psychiatric nurse practitioner, and in working in mental health every day, I am blessed to try to help others, but BEYOND blessed in learning how to help myself. I've always strived to be my best, do my best, share my best. Sometimes I'm more successful than others. I see clearly your motivation and calling in life. You're doing great!
Your loyal, flawed, and self-accepting friend,
-- Amanda Bacher
On another note...
Whether you're commuting, road tripping, or just running errands, a clean and organized car makes everything feel smoother. I've curated a list of Essentials for a Clean, Organized Car to help you keep clutter in check, trash off the floor, and everything easy to grab!
