Sir, – In her article on downsizing (“‘Downsizing is overrated. Creating a family home is a lifetime’s achievement’”, Residential, May 11th), Elizabeth Bond accurately sums up all the trauma this entails. I have lived in my house since getting married – two-thirds of my life. I could not countenance leaving here. The physical turmoil would be bad but nothing to the emotional. My house is part of me. I still feel close to my late husband after our years together. That closeness would be gone if I moved to an impersonal apartment. New neighbours, no matter how nice, could never take the place of the present ones, who supported me during Covid and that I know I can call on at any time. All my family memories are here in every part of the house. Perhaps downsizing would be practical and maybe inevitable in years to come, but of my own volition I will never move, but will remain in my haven for as long as possible. – Yours, etc,
MARGARET BUTLER,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.