My polycule is looking to move in together. We are collectively selling two homes to move into one. To prepare for this long-term goal, I have started the arduous task of decluttering my office, my craft closet, and my life. I started by buying some good boxes and packing paper. Locating a good marker. Making a box. Then the packing began.
Some things are easy. Pictures on the wall are easily removed and packed up. The string of lights around my room is easy to coil up and put in a box.
My wall of shelves is another matter. I am sad to see this wall packed up. Situated where I can see it daily, it contains what many would call junk. It is not. It is an art installation called Dia is Loved.
There is a penguin named Sigmund, a nod to the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton, a treasured stuffy from my adopted sister who insists I am not nerdy enough because my fandoms are not represented in my life properly.
I have a crochet Sailor Moon doll that my husband bought me because I crochet and like Sailor Moon.
The Dragon is the mascot of Willow Dragonstone Coven & Community.
A Hoof GP Postcard that came with my Hoof GP One Herd, One Family t-shirt that I bought myself - my first purchase of a fandom.
There is the large MUSE lunchbox, another gift from my adopted sister's girlfriend bought me, who knows I am in love with Matthew Bellamy because he is a musical genius, and his lyrics touch my soul.
There is the Sailor Mercury memorabilia, some made by my husband and others gifted to me. Because Sailor Mercury is am Sailor Scout.
My favorite picture of my son, Samuel, and me, when he was very little, looking at me like he loves me to the moon and back.
A porcelain wind chime of birds, too fragile to put outside, but a gift from Samuel for Mother's Day because it "Looked like something you would love and not buy for yourself."
A small drum I got at the last Pagan Spirit Gathering's gift swap.
A blue ribbon with a spoon from Eldritch reminds me to stir the pot and my tea.
And WeeJamie from the Outlander book series before the television series came out. I can't bring myself to throw him away. Most of these gifts and trinkets in my line of sight tell me daily that I am loved and cherished. What I find important in my life is important to others. It is important because I am important to them.
So, taking all this down and packing it away for some undetermined length of time is sad for me. It is like having a wall of physical manifestation of love and support packed away where it cannot efficiently radiate its passion and power to my indomitable spirit. I understand that love and support doesn't go away just because the items are in a box. It does make it hard to remind myself how much love and support I have on bad days.
Maybe I will keep Sigmund and The Dragon (pronouns they/them) out until it is impossible to keep them out any longer. Tokens of the love my family has for me.
My body might be broken, but my heart is fully indomitable drench in love, care, and consideration of my family and friends, coven mates and colleagues.
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