Downsizing: The Best of Friends
New homeowners in a recently built community in the early 1970s, Lois and Fran also had young children and husbands who worked at the now-defunct Naval Research Center. Despite very different personalities, the two women became fast friends. Over the years Lois and Fran’s friendship deepened as they watched their children grow. Their families sometimes celebrated birthdays and holidays as one big group and even went on vacation together.
Life went on. Their children married and moved away. Lois’ husband was admitted to a Memory Care facility and Fran’s husband passed away. Through it all, the women remained close and depended on one another. After these big transitions, the burden of upkeeping their now-empty, full-sized houses sometimes kept the friends from doing things they’d rather do—visiting friends and family, traveling, and pursuing hobbies. They began to see the freedom of letting go of their big family homes. After many hours of discussion with each other and their children, Lois and Fran decided to sell their houses and find places in a senior retirement community in the area.
As Lois and Fran took tours of various local communities, questions about how to empty their houses and the mechanics of the actual move cropped up—there was so much to do! During one visit the women were introduced to the idea of a professional Senior Move Manager. Together, they called a well-recommended Senior Move Manager with their questions and requirements.
Once the ladies had chosen a retirement community, the Senior Move Manager met with each in their home to formulate a plan and timetable. The contents of each friend’s home pointed to their different personalities. Fran had always been a minimalist—if an item hadn’t been used for a couple of years, she got rid of it. Unlike her friend, Lois was a natural collector and hated to throw anything away in case it was needed “someday.” After the consultations, it was decided that Fran would move first and Lois would follow.
Working with the senior move manager, Fran quickly decided what would be moving with her. Being a lifelong minimalist and having already given items away, Fran wouldn’t have much left in her house. This wasn’t the case with Lois who was less matter-of-fact and more emotional than her friend, finding it hard to let go of things she might need “someday.” The senior move manager worked with Lois on what would and wouldn’t fit in her new place. She also reassured Lois that the things that wouldn’t move with her, through an estate sale and donations, would find a home with people who needed them.
When Fran’s move-in date came, the senior move management team packed up her belongings, oversaw the movers who took them to her new home, and then unpacked and put everything in its place. Fran’s few remaining items were taken to Lois’ house to be included in the estate sale. A couple of weeks later, it was time for Lois’ move with the senior move management team overseeing all the details. A successful estate sale was then held at Lois’ house with many items sold and the remainder going to donation centers Lois had chosen.
Both settled in their new homes, Lois and Fran agreed they had made the right decision. They also agreed that bringing in a senior move manager to help with the logistics and emotions of the move had made the transition so much easier.
AUTHOR: The owner of Chesapeake Transitions, Marilyn Leek is a Certified Senior Move Manager® who has provided support and guidance for Maryland seniors and their families for over a decade.