Comments on: How Can I Sort Through Grandma’s Possessions?

By: Jeanne Frye, RN, CHPN

Jeanne Frye, RN, CHPN — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:57:33 +0000

I am so sorry for your loss. I think of my “grammie” often. The older I get, the smarter she was! The few things I have are treasures.
Open the bags and have a good cry! Emotion is not a bad thing!

By: Shirley

Shirley — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:17:47 +0000

Ellie should ask her husband to get grief therapy with her.

By: Messina

Messina — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:32:13 +0000

Ellie, I am so sorry for your loss. My mother had me when she was too young and if not for my grandmother’s kindness, I don’t know what my life would be like today. So I can identify with you. To help you deal with your problem maybe you should try to imagine what she would want you to do. My guess is as a giver, she would want her things to benefit people. For yourself, keep a few objects that remind you of her, and then give the rest, to a cause she woild appreciate.

By: Ethlynne

Ethlynne — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:40:12 +0000

Ellie should have someone with her when she opens the first bag. It can be her husband who she says is supportive, or a member of his loving family, or a friend with whom she feels comfortable, maybe even a friend of her grandmother. Otherwise the experience will be emotional, even traumatic.

By: Constantia

Constantia — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:26:06 +0000

Garbage bags happen to be the most convenient way to move and store clothes and other soft items such as towels. Unless one has lots of spare suitcases, what is one to do when emptying an apartment, for example? While my comment may seem trivial, it indicates that Ellie harps on trivialities, and not necessarily correct ones, to draw far reaching conclusions. Likewise, maybe spending 10 days in the hospital was not necessary. The people who do not stay may not be as evil as she thinks they are. Perhaps her sorrow is overwhelming her to reality.

By: Sylvie

Sylvie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:18:39 +0000

When people write wills, they should make sure that those who cared for them at the end, or did not care for them, should be rewarded accordingly. That way no one treats the deceased like garbage, both before and after they die, and still get to keep the money.

By: MAC

MAC — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:16:24 +0000

Whenever someone describes their entire family as unloving, uncaring or totally selfish, and insist that they are the only ones with any common human decency, I think a reality check is called for immediately, and not by the family. this youn g woman wants to drown herself in bags of an old lady’s leftovers, with which she will do what? Go out on the town? Dress her own children? Or will she simply hoard them out of nostalgia? Get a life, Ellie, and that doesn’t mean dwelling on an old dead lady. And get help, soon.