Making space for what comes next

Last summer we sold our house in Hamden and moved to an apartment in New Haven.
The closing was very soon and we basically had to clear out 3600 sq ft and cram it into 1200 sq ft.
It was daunting. Then Abby showed up, responding to our post in a neighborhood newsletter.
She was amazing. She put everything on a long list, boxed everything, and attached notes to each
box listing the contents and which of three places it was going. And a box number. In all we had
345 boxes. We got out on time and everything ended up where it was supposed to go.
Abby saved our lives. No question about it.

-Franklin Getchell and Murray Moss

Recently she spent several hours with me, thinning out my attic, basement, and clothes closets. When I got sentimental, she listened to my stories and helped me say goodbye to lots of "stuff.” If, at the last minute, I plucked a little something out of the pile, she understood. She took bags and boxes to Goodwill and helped me throw away the unwanted or unsalvageable. I’d dreaded this chore for years, but now I’m looking forward to the next phase. It’s so helpful to have an ally for this job, but I would also trust her judgment completely to go it alone.

—Margaret Mann