Walls

For some weeks now, I've been sorting and diminishing the two decades' accumulation of stuff in my office. The recycle guy has hauled out many pounds of paper and I have carried out a few boxes of books and photos. The room is looking noticeably emptier, or so I thought. But co-workers would come by and say, "Hmmm, you've got a ways to go yet!"

Last night I took down the pictures and favorite layouts from my walls. This morning co-workers walking by stopped in their tracks. The empty expanses of red paint signified an ending much more starkly than partially empty shelves had.

At one point I had thought the pictures and layouts would be the last to go. Taking them down took only 10 minutes. But I found I need that visual reminder that the end is coming and I need to speed up. I still have things to write and submit before I go, and a couple of problems to resolve, in addition to leaving this office with organized and labeled contents. But the walls are a reminder that the end is coming.