Pictures, Videos, and Momentos

[task0778]

Earlier this year my wife of 46 years passed away, and I need to move to a cheaper place to live. I am thinking about whether or not to ditch the things that bring back memories, both good and bad of our lives together when I leave this place. Is it healthier to look back at what once was, which can be melancholy if not painful at times. Regrets and all that. Or is it better to discard those things and focus on today and tomorrow? I do have family to think of, and maybe places I'd like to go and things I'd like to do while I still can (I'm 76). I can't just bury the past and forget about it, but neither should I live in it. I know people who have done that and feel bad for them cuz maybe their life is passing them by.

 

[1srelluc]

Toss what the family does not want and move on with the time YOU have left.....Memories can be uplifting or anchors....Your choice.

 

[Ava]

Task, I feel for you having to go through the death of a long time wife and friend. Please accept my condolences for your loss. It is a terrible thing to go through and takes time for the emotional recovery.

I would advise you to give your children everything they want and especially pictures you have accumulated of the family throughout the years. I would definitely retain some for yourself, but not many. Just the ones you particularly love and want to remember and then only occasionally look at them. Then get on with interests you have to pursue.

After a year of the end of your lifestyle with your wife , you might be in a better place emotionally, to do that. Maybe longer. But don't live in those pictures you would retain. "Fall down 7 times, get up 8." Open that door.

 

[Auld Phart]

if you decide to give family pictures to children or other family members, make sure to put t=names on them, and a short note describing their relationship.

Mom died about 9 years ago, and we were left with photo albums, and boxes of items we had no idea who they were, nor what connection we had to them.

 

[toobfreak]

Earlier this year my wife of 46 years passed away, and I need to move to a cheaper place to live. I am thinking about whether or not to ditch the things that bring back memories, both good and bad of our lives together when I leave this place. Is it healthier to look back at what once was, which can be melancholy if not painful at times. Regrets and all that. Or is it better to discard those things and focus on today and tomorrow? I do have family to think of, and maybe places I'd like to go and things I'd like to do while I still can (I'm 76). I can't just bury the past and forget about it, but neither should I live in it. I know people who have done that and feel bad for them cuz maybe their life is passing them by.

My condolences. But hang onto that stuff. Pain passes. Put it in a box or something. Give it at least a year before deciding, you may come to regret throwing that stuff away and once gone, there is no getting it back.

 

[The Irish Ram]

I would suggest that if you had a good marriage with that women, put the mementos in a box for a future decision of what you or your family may want to do with it. It may be too soon to shed the past.