A few years ago, we had the opportunity to work with a kind-hearted woman in Seattle’s Seward Park neighborhood. She was living in her longtime home with her adult daughter, who struggled with letting go of anything. The house was packed from floor to ceiling with belongings—every room overwhelmed with clutter.
Our goal was to transition the mother into assisted living and help her daughter move into a nearby apartment. Once they were relocated, we could begin the work of clearing out the house and preparing it for the market.
The mother was an absolute delight—gracious and welcoming. Every morning when we arrived, she insisted we sit down for tea and cookies before starting our work. There was just one major issue: the house wasn’t just cluttered—it was filthy.
Her daughter’s hoarding tendencies meant that even basic cleaning and cooking weren’t possible. Empty food boxes were stacked throughout the kitchen, leaving no room to prepare meals. The mother relied on daily food deliveries to eat.
From the living room, you could see into one of the bedrooms, where there were—quite literally—stacks of used kitty litter. Her daughter had created a system using potty training pads layered with litter. When the cats were done, she simply laid another pad and more litter on top. Over time, this created towering piles of soiled pads and litter.
Despite the environment, the mother’s warmth made it difficult to decline her offers of hospitality. At first, we found ways to politely refuse—claiming we had already had coffee, were avoiding sugar, or had dietary restrictions. But by day four, we noticed the food delivery always arrived around the same time. That day, we waited for the knock, brought the bags in, and joined her for a fresh batch of cookies.
It may seem like a small gesture, but in that moment, it was everything. Many of our clients express their gratitude in simple, heartfelt ways. That day, it came in the form of freshly delivered cookies and a warm smile.
Working in homes like this requires balancing health and safety concerns, but it’s equally important to pause and recognize human kindness. No matter the condition of a space, there’s often a story—and a generous heart—at its center.