Packing up the mother-in-law's clothes wasn't so bad. Her clothes are in her new closet and dresser and her pictures are on the walls and scattered around her room. We even hung some cute things in the bathroom so that where she now lives would look more like home for her.
But then there're those boxes for my Mom.
It's been almost two years since my Dad passed. My Mom wasn't ready to part with his things until now. So for the past week or so she's been going through his clothes, washing them, and packing them up for Goodwill.
Yesterday I stood there and looked at his things and it made me cry. He isn't here anymore. He has no use for any of them. But . . . it just makes me so sad to see them go.
Dad would've been practical. "Get rid of them!" In fact, he did say that while he was in the nursing home.
I used to like to go to estate sales, but I find it hard to do these days. Somebody died. We're all picking over what the deceased might have loved and valued. It all seems kind of ghoulish. And yet ... if no one has use for these things, maybe someone else might love and value them, too.
What do you think?
I'm a realist, very practical. I believe that rather than see loved things go to waste, we should get them to someone else who will enjoy them. That's why last winter I finally gave away my childhood books (I'm 71!) to the Boys and Girls Club. I'm reminded of my grandfather who used to say, "If I can't take it with me, by George, I'm not going!"
ReplyDeleteI've been going through something similar. My Dad keeps giving boxes of things that were my mom's. He tells me to keep what I want, distribute whatever to the rest of the family and get rid of the rest.
ReplyDeleteThe first part isn't so hard. There are truly only a few things I want for myself. The second part is harder, trying to make sure all the appropriate family members have a chance to see what I've got (we're rather spread out). But the last is a killer. All the little items she cared enough about to hold on to all her life - how do I just throw them away? How do I discard her treasures?
I'm reading & wiping my eyes at the same time. I know what you are going through & have an inkling of your feelings. It tears me in two -- on the one hand, I'm happy to get the not needed any more things to those that do need them, but the wrenching of seeing those things just ... go, is ... painful. Yes, the older I get, the more depressing Estate Sales become.
ReplyDeleteI will love and cherish something I've purchased at an estate sale. Maybe not as much as the original owner but I will treasure it. It's like passing something you love over to someone who will continue to love it.
ReplyDeleteEllen