I pile up clothes, shoes, mail, jewelry, bits of paper with reminders. I bring a water bottle and a snack and pack everything in my tote. I’m not going on a road trip, I’m just going upstairs. When you age out of multi-level living, this is how you travel. Every time you head for the basement or go upstairs to the bedroom, it’s a trip. I keep a canvas tote on the steps and fill it during the course of the day so when I do make that climb, I won’t forget anything and only have to do it once.
When I get upstairs, I’m unpacking my tote, putting things away, and organizing. Then I go from room to room gathering things I need to bring downstairs, and I refill my tote. Don’t want to forget anything because my knees can’t deal with more than one trip.
Same with the basement. I check the kitchen for low stock on things I’ll need — our backup pantry is in the basement. For this I have a bigger tote, which makes me wish I had a bell boy to carry it, especially on days I’m maneuvering the laundry hamper up the steps, too.
Multi-level living when you’re on the road to old age is a trip.
If I forget to take the clean clothes out of the dryer, I make do with what’s around on the first floor when I get out of the shower. Though I may look like I grabbed anything within reach to run from a burning building, I’m just trying to cover my nakedness to watch an hour or so of TV before making the trip upstairs for bed. I need my rest to arm myself for the next day’s ups and downs.
I wonder if an architect could design a house that works like a Lazy Susan. I stay put, and when I need something, I slide the wall, and the rooms move to bring my need within reach. Not only would I not have to climb steps, but I’d never even have to leave the chair. I haven’t seen anything like this yet. You’re welcome, HGTV.
So, for the time being, I’ll keep my tote bags handy, will look like a fabric collage when I get out of the shower, and switch my menu rather than make a trip downstairs if I’m out of olive oil.
Maureen Mancini Amaturo lives in Rye, NY
