Janet, my heart goes out to you and your family. My husband lost his brother to Alz, his baby brother is now losing ground more quickly with same thing, my husband is also into stage of dimentia. Truly understand your emotions.
Regarding the estate sales, I also find it sad at times. The truth is that the family MAY need the proceeds to take care of the family expenses. At any rate, if you care enough to purchase the item, apparently it means more to you than the family members left. I walked into a house one day to inspect it for a real estate appraisal. You could tell the owner left in an emergency situation and no one came back to straighten up. It just about took my breath and I could not wait to get out of there. I have walked into several houses and felt the sadness and pain in that house. Spooky!!!! The last time that happened, as soon as my son and I were out of that house, I started to comment to him. He shook his head and said "you don't have to say a thing...now I know what you told me about some houses having a feeling of sadness" .
Will keep your family in my prayers!
Originally Posted by JanetM
I agree with you completely. I feel as if I am invading the privacy of someone I have never met, and it makes me uncomfortable.
It is not unlike having to settle my in-laws estate when my MIl passed away. I remember bringing home her purse and clothes from the hospital. At one point, I went through her purse and even said to my husband that I felt I shouldn't violate her in that way.
Clearing their home of their 50+ years of collecting was so difficult. All of us chose something in remembrance with the rest going to charity. I thought to myself...is that it?..the sum total of our lives is our stuff?, and when it is disposed of it is as if the person never existed.
Oh boy, I shouldn't have started this. I am a bit emotional right now because my Mom is dying. She has Alzheimer's and in the last week has taken a turn for the worse. My sister and I have tried to prepare ourselves for this, but now that it seems very close, I'm finding it very difficult.