Sure, it's late August... you might be smelling the slight aroma of fall in the air... but if you are like me, I want to savor every second of summer. I'm not a real sun person (to fair)... I'm not even athletic, so spending lots of hours outside sweating isn't my idea of fun. But I just love not wearing heavy coats, and worrying about slippery roads. Now... I also have to admit... I like winter. I love big warm sweaters, and warm fireplaces. I know... I'm contradicting myself... It's not that I don't love each season, it's just that I want to hang on, just a little bit longer, to the warm days of summer. There are so many months of cool/cooler/cold /freezing weather.

With that... I want to mention the fall downsizing season. It's such a temptation to put off the de-cluttering until spring. Isn't it? If you are one of those people, please give me a minute to plant an idea: Be kind to yourself. Don't make it worse and keep adding to it. The downsizing project you want to do in the spring is big enough. Even if you grab one box, or one bag a week... and sort it watching the news, it will help you. Try to break your project up into small phases. Really, it helps. By the time spring comes around, you will be surprised and so pleased with yourself at how much you were able to get done.

I've just come from a family funeral in Austin, TX... it was hot. We came from all over the country to celebrate my Mother-In-Law's life. She was 90 years young and just a remarkable woman in so many ways. I will miss her so much.

Needless to say, my own family story helps me appreciate and empathize with the families I work with. Because, while the grieving is going on, there are so many other levels of thinking and planning going on. The family gathers and there are lots of distractions... the pockets of conversations evolve and blend as the time with family grows short and people start to leave. Did we talk about this? Did we talk about that? We need to include this person... don't want to leave anyone out... they might feel slighted... Family dynamics are so interesting... aren't they? Would love to hear some stories of recent dynamics and creative ways to help families communicate. We are all in the same boat.