I think the stress of being caregiver, and in my case getting cancer and having to put him in memory care 2 1/2 years,and now at the age of 87 and 61 years of marriage, he passed away on Dec 27, 2023 . I find myself close to tears, when I think it’s me and not we. It I try to stay busy,quilting, reading trying new dishes to cook. And try to redirect my sadness to happier times and make the most of the day , at 80 I might not get the next. When I get things ready of his to give to the VA I just think how glad they will be to have them. It helps . Take your time and regroup if you have to. I actually made myself this pillow when Iwas going thru cancer treatment and Vern was in memory care and didn’t know I was the wife of 58 years .

My dear husband, Tom, has now been in memory care for 3 months and I, too, am faced with the heartbreak of having his clothes & belongings here in our home of 37 years - so many memories…. I donated some of his heavy coats & warm items to a homeless shelter this winter. As others have said, just go slow.

One day at a time. Allow yourself to enjoy the time and if the tears flow, let them come. It’s alright to stop at anytime and go back another day. It’s also ok to box things up to deal with another time when the sadness isn’t quite as strong. One person said that when her mother died, her dad got rid of her mothers clothes but when her father died several years later, she found her mother’s ratty housecoat hanging on the hook in the bathroom. It must have had special meaning if she held on to it all those years.

Take your time and savor the memories.

I would, if you have the space, pack things in labeled boxes and only get rid of things you are ok with for now, and eventually let go of the others as you are emotionally able. I just finally got rid of some of my 40's plus children's infant clothes! Felt someone else could get enjoyment and use, like I did. I had them in ziplock bags and they were like new.