philosophy is "love people and use things, because the other way never works". Unless the 'thing' is useful, or creates joy in your life, do you really need it? We hold onto so much stuff we just don't need.

Nicely said. The episode I describe in my post was a really bad time for us and yet it brought us clarity, a fresh perspective and now, five years later, more depth in life.

I'm glad you find something of value in my posts. They are really only read by such a small audience that I wonder if there's any point and then someone like you finds some value and I say to myself, "yes, there is a point".