My mother-in-law had planned well. In previous years she gifted away most of her sentimentals and valuables. This has simplified cleaning out her apartment. We don’t agonize over who gets what or what must be saved. Aside from a bit of furniture and her bar, everything can be donated or thrown away. While her sons pack, I haul things to a garbage bin or a local donation center.

Her bar and alcohol— Sunday, the senior center where she lived will host a small gathering to honor her. We will bring the alcohol and let the residents take it away with them. 

Of course death happens regularly at her Senior Center— it has hundreds of residents in their elder years. That small gathering to honor my mother-in-law… it’s a standing weekly event. 

More than once while hauling stuff away, someone has asked “Moving in or out?” 

“Moving out.” I answer vaguely.

“Awww. That’s too bad. Who was it?”