[Carolyn R]

So almost five years ago we lost our beautiful baby girl. It's been a long road of grief and healing, but we've made it through. My question is, what do I do with all the momentos I had saved that don't necessarily have that much sentimental value? What I mean is, I have compiled all the things that are very important to me in a large scrapbook, plus I have a box of things I would never part with - the blanket she was wrapped in, the teddy bear from her funeral, etc. What I am struggling with are the things that don't necessarily fit my lifestyle...lots of crystal angels figurines, etc, that came with flowers, hundreds of cards, and so on. At first I clung to these and saved everything because it was all we had of her, but now I am feeling like they are no longer serving a purpose and are just collecting dust in a box. Does anybody have any ideas/advice? I guess I am really feeling ready to let this stuff go, but then a little part of me wonders if I will regret getting rid of it. But then I go back to the fact that in all other areas of my life, I have simplified and decluttered, so it feels odd to have boxes of things sitting around that I know I will never display or use. Thanks so much!

 

[kerc]

Can you slowly let some of it go and see how it feels?

 

[Caneel]

Is there a family member or friend who would be willing to store the things for you? Maybe as a trial run to see how you feel about the process?

 

[ColoradoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caneel Is there a family member or friend who would be willing to store the things for you? Maybe as a trial run to see how you feel about the process?

That would be my suggestion as well.

 

[ProtoLawyer]

I'm sorry for your loss.

Could you take digital photos of the items, scans of the cards?

 

[sleepypeanutsmom]

I was thinking the same thing as ProtoLawyer...take photos of the figurines, etc and make a small photo album to go with the things you did keep.

 

[slsurface]

I am truly sorry for your loss. A couple ideas come to mind, maybe some of them might work for you.

For the flat paper items I would take the time to scan them. This is what I did with all the cards and paper mementos from my father's funeral. That way I have them to look at without keeping the clutter around. Just be sure to save the files in several places, in case your computer dies. For example, burn a DVD or CD compilation. You can even use software to make a "slide show" that can be viewed in your DVD player with these images, as well as any other photos and video you have of your LO.

I like sleepypeanutsmom's idea of photographing the figurines. Be sure to make back-ups of these photos and you could also use these images in the slide show DVD.

The other sort of grieving "ritual" that I did for my father was to go shopping for a special/pretty box that I enjoy sitting out in my decor, to hold a few important mementos. You could choose a selection of cards, figurines, and other memorabilia to store in the box. Go through the items in the box whenever you feel the need to and enjoy the memories that the special items represent.

I agree it's best to go slow and take your time deciding what stays and goes. HTH.