Nina told me over breakfast this morning that her least favorite store is 'Goodwill', and that it should be named 'Badwill'. MJ, who had quietly been eating his cereal, chimed in "Yeah, I hate Goodwill, and so does Tanie!" Tanie is the imaginary friend and his partner in crime.
Nina took me by surprise because before Goodwill moved to Topsham it was always in the top 3 'favorites'. She once bought a princess castle for 99 cents that provided hours of play until it's demise in the hands of her little brother.
Seems she was disappointed about the car-full of stuff we purged from her room 2 days ago. Which, by the way, she enthusiastically helped me with. Turns out she was having second thoughts, and here she was, levelling with me over corn chex that my brilliant idea of a 'closet purge' was not so brillant.
Nina, by nature, is very giving. Always willing to help, busying herself with various works of art for others and often making sure little friends always leave with something after a visit. Seems like giving up a few stuffed animals was simply too close-to-home.
We had talked about it before it happened. And it wasn't just toys. Mostly clothes, old baby supplies, and a breast pump (nope, won't be needing that anymore) We cleaned like fiends; organized. Rejoiced in the freshness and starkness of the closet. I felt liberated upon completion. She repeatedly opened her closet doors and admired her Christmas gifts in their new places on the shelves.
Ultimately, Nina agreed that giving our previously-loved possessions was all part of the continuous spirit of 'giving'. That it continues beyond Christmas. And yes, that having 'alot of stuff' isn't all there is to happiness.
The closet purge reminds me to approach these conversations and efforts with caution. It is a balance between letting kids be kids, while fostering a spirit of sharing. Michael's room is next. I hope Tanie doesn't come.
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