Parting Ways
By Amber
@AmbiePam (85432)
United States
July 31, 2020 5:50pm CST
There are things in my apartment I know I need to part with. Five years after my mother died, I still have things of hers I need to go through. It's better than it was, but I really need to figure stuff out for the sake of organization. I was keeping some of her things in the back of my SUV, but my dad accidentally threw some of that away a year ago. He meant well, and I had to let that go even if it was upsetting at the time. It's not that there is a ton of stuff, it's just that my apartment is too small for much in the first place.
How long does it take for you to go through things people give you, or if they pass away, how long does it take for you to go through it? It just feels wrong almost to give away anything that was hers.
21 people like this
20 responses
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
31 Jul 20
For each it's different. I look at it this way now, my deceased people would want the thing's used and not laying around rotting
6 people like this
@yoalldudes (35040)
• Philippines
31 Jul 20
Oh my, this is heartbreaking. I dont know the answer also. Maybe some time for grieving, then take pictures so you can let go. Or just keep one or two of the most meaningful possession.
5 people like this
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
1 Aug 20
I have a hard time getting rid of stuff and going through papers. I have been in a mood to clear things out for a while, but there is always more stuff.
4 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104632)
• United States
31 Jul 20
I know that you and I have discussed this a little bit already. I still have a few things of my mom's that I just need to get rid of. It can be so hard just getting rid of things because we have emotional attachment to them. I've been getting rid of things a lot lately, and still need to go through some books that I will never read and donate them. I have two boxes on the floor that are just junk and I need to chuck it, but yeah.. sometimes it's just difficult.
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (85432)
• United States
1 Aug 20
My mom's books are the last thing (besides pictures) my dad has kept of hers, and he has asked my sister and I to go through them and take what we want, and he'll donate the rest of them. That's going to take a long time because she had hundreds.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 Aug 20
I have my mothers stuff after 8 years
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48378)
• Canada
31 Jul 20
Its different for each relationship.
I still have a ring that my grandfather gave to me after my grandmother passed.
I wasn't as close to her as I was to him.
Him giving it to me helped me realize that he looked at me as an adult.
I have nothing of my Dad's, he passed away 11 years ago.
I cherish the photo I have of him.
You take as long as you need to let go of things, and do not feel bad about that length of time.
4 people like this
@d_red_madelaine (528)
• Philippines
1 Aug 20
Parting with things that will help us remember thaf person is hard. But the most important thing is fo cherish the memories we have and keep it in our hearts forever.
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Aug 20
My father in law passed away almost 8 years ago. He was a fabulous artist who did everything . . . and now we have much of his art (many which are big pieces) - and a lot of them. My MIL is still living, but as she was forced to move from a full house to a dinky studio, we adopted all of her artwork as well (which is also a lot). We also have their photo albums - which take up many plastic tubs. What do we do with all of this . . . we can only hang up so much . . . the rest just sit in tubs and in the garage for now. It's a dilemma we live with too.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
31 Jul 20
It would take me a bit, especially if they passed away.
3 people like this
@KristenH (33351)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
31 Jul 20
Hugs Amber. I've been in your shoes 6.5 years ago. A lot of my mother's stuff and furniture went out of the window. I kept about 5% as keepsake mementos. With my brother's help, it took us two to three days. Then last December, we did another round, which took us maybe two hours to empty my closets except for my mother's X-mas stuff. Not much was given away either.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (169863)
• United States
1 Aug 20
I guess the keepsakes and mementos that are really important to you you should keep.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (48908)
• United States
7 Aug 20
I’m still going through my parents things. I find it easier when I give things to family or make donations to those in need. I’m blessed that their belongings are in their home.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155961)
• United States
1 Aug 20
For each person it's different. We had a ton of stuff from my husband's parents. Eventually he let go; and I was able to donate boxes and boxes of items. Have a good weekend.
1 person likes this
