Lightening Your Final Load
Lightening Your Final Load
by Julie Gianelloni Connor | Houston, TX
Now in my 70s, I have been thinking a lot about the end of my Camino. I am updating my will, checking account beneficiaries, and deciding what to do with my possessions.
I am an acquirer. I cannot help myself. Since retirement, I know I have every material possession I need to finish the journey. Still, I see things I like, and I buy them. I mainly don’t buy big things anymore, but I still look for small items that catch my fancy. For example, on a recent American Pilgrims-organized trip to La Rioja region of Spain, I came home with an apron, several headscarves, three angels for my Nativity scene, three small La Rioja pitchers, three decorative pieces for my office, and of course the inevitable couple of books. Do I need any of these things? No. Did I want those I purchased and plan to keep, even those gifted to me, like the largest of the pitchers and headscarves? Yes.
Recently, I have spent time thinking about how to dispose of my possessions. My first thought was to direct my executor just to donate everything to a local charity. Lately, my thinking has become more nuanced. I can develop a prioritized list of instructions. For example, I can direct my executor to donate as follows:
- Books: some of my many books are old or rare. Have my executor offer them first to my alma mater’s library, then donate the remainder to my local public library for its used book sale.
- Paintings: offer them to a Texas art museum.
On the trip to La Rioja, I awoke in the middle of the night with a thought: have my executor send anything and everything relating to the Camino de Santiago, St. James, or Spain to American Pilgrims with directions that the items be offered for the silent auction or raffle held at the Annual Gathering. Jewelry, scarves, statuettes, books—does it have a scallop shell on it or is it related to the Camino or Spain? Off to American Pilgrims.
With this eureka moment, I have managed to lighten my final load and at the same time pass some of my Camino treasures along to fellow Camino enthusiasts who will love them in turn. Maybe this is an idea you, too, can use to lighten your load.
