La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Kids moving out and parents empty-nesting it, consider this advice: Allow plenty of time for downsizing.

When I planned my move, I knew I needed time for packing, loading and cleaning. I failed totally to consider the herculean task of downsizing. That cost me dearly: I left three days later than planned. Files, mostly, weighed me down. Every sheet of paper, back to the 1970s, had to be touched and often read. Significant time suck.

But significant gifts, also. I found a short article from a 1990s coworker. Titled “The Nine Most Important Words You Will Ever Hear,” the phrase is “be bold and mysterious forces will come to your aid.”

All I can tell anyone is that I have had more good fortune in the last six months than I have had in the last six years. I crashed my car and experienced serious grace as a new one came into my life. I bought a newspaper at a very fair price. I sold my duplex to my tenants for the posted amount. I came to La Conner and was offered a place--places--to stay.

The amazing, confusing thing is, I am not doing anything differently and am the same person I always was.

For years I was getting along, going along. I was stuck. I was not happy.

I bought this newspaper because I had no choice. Either I took the initiative or started looking for jobs serving beer. Or being a barista. So I acted decisively. I had no idea that “everything is going my way.” There is certainly no reason for this.

I don’t know what luck is, either. I have heard that the Chinese symbol for luck combines preparation and opportunity. I will say that I am reaching for my future, that I have acted when my spirit said act.

All I know is that I am blessed (another phrase I have never understood or used till now).