If I asked you what you thought of when I said "nesting", what would you answer? Birds in trees? Or maybe a pregnant woman getting ready for the baby? You'd be right on both counts. But what I'm thinking of is that natural instinct that starts around the fifth month of pregnancy. In fact, all females in the animal kingdom have the same primal instinct! Nesting helps you to feel in control of your pregnancy.
Most of my friends are older than I am...which puts them in their 70's and 80's. Some of them have sold their homes to live in condos or assisted living homes. I've noticed that when my friends have turned 70 they have started "cleaning out" their houses. They've given away all non essentials to friends, yard sales and the church. The first time I saw it happening, I was very uncomfortable with it. I mistook it for an obsession with death. But now I call it 'reverse nesting'. Nesting builds up the 'nest' and readies the home for a new birth; while reverse nesting starts to tear the nest down looking toward the last stage of life. It's a way to simplify your life here and maybe like nesting, gives you some control over death.
I haven't reached this stage of my life yet...my craft room is overflowing with stuff. (some remnants of crafts I no longer spend time on) Our bookcases still hold the many good books that we think we'll reread 'someday'. The garage is filled with tools and lawn equipment both new and old and some in need of repair. My closet is full of clothes that I may one day fit into again. Another closet filled with over a decade of tax forms, divorce papers, and letters from friends and family...some of whom have passed.
Maybe this fall I'll give it all a good cleaning out...or as we say here in PA. "a good reddin' out"! But I'm certainly NOT ready to tear the nest apart!!
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