Message ID: c2ffth$1ru2mj$1@ID-202214.news.uni-berlin.de
My mother passed away two years ago and I still have many of her things. I'm afraid that she'll think I don't love her or respect her belongings if I don't keep everything.
My question is, do you think she'll understand that I don't have a lot of space in my house? Do you have any ideas about where I could put her things? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
-- Without Mom In Washington
Dear Without:
Your mother left her things to you because she wanted you to enjoy them. Of course she would understand if you cannot use them all. She didn't intend for them to be a burden but a blessing.
Since there are more things than you need or want, please consider sharing the rest with other relatives who can appreciate their sentimental value. If that's not possible, donate them to a charity -- possibly one that raises money to fight the disease that took her. I can't think of a more worthwhile use for them than that.
Your mother has been dead for two years. You are afraid that if you do not keep her possessions that she will think that you don't love or respect her. May I ask you how you arrived at this conclusion? Are you in communication with her every day? Does she answer?
Communication with the dead has a long and distinguished history. Indeed, Childfree Abby recalls that one of the Former Prime Ministers of her country spent an inordinate amount of time in communication with his departed mother and dog. However, that said, while said communication may offer comfort in a spiritual sense, they do not offer a lot of practical insight - such as "where am I going to put all this stuff?"
Trust me, Without, in whatever form of the afterlife in which you believe, your mother is not overly concerned with the possessions she left behind. Furthermore, she is not likely to return to reclaim them any time soon. Keep a few momentoes that you particularly cherish, and dispose of the rest in any way you see fit as my esteemed counterpart has suggested.
Childfree Abby
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