In a bid to declutter my house, my eyes have wandered into the most forgotten places lately. Under the bathroom sink. Into that box that sat in a basement corner for years and turned out to be empty!

Each step feels strangely satisfying as I assess the items taking up space — most mentally and physically — in my world.

Last week, I cracked up a rolltop desk that we bought for a song at an auction. Inside, an accordion folder bulged with papers. It virtually sprang up as I released the cord.

Ah, the memories that jumped out from those pages.

For years, I had tucked various cards, letters, mementos and life-changing letters inside. I read the messages about getting accepted into university, then granting me a diploma.

Then I unfolded pages from so long ago that they had completely slipped my mind. Soon, hours disappeared as I........

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