I am glad you were able to achieve this. It is funny how much it hurts to see Kristi's clothing and other things. The memories are great, but sad all the same. I know that she would not want this to be this hard for me. Hopefully I too will be able to make this step happen. I have tried, but just can't get myself to do it.

((((HUGS))))

Karl

It's a hard thing to do. I had to give my husband's things away very quickly, as I was moving in a few months. The hardest part was the underwear. Couldn't donate them, so that meant I had to thow them out. I sat there remembering all the times I washed them and how much he appreciated it. Now all I could do was to throw them in the garbage. It just seemed so wrong, but I was able to do it. I kept all of his socks, though. Once you're wearing pants, who's to know?

Pete,
I did some of that, couldn't bring myself to take them anyplace to donate them though, I just couldn't imagine leaving her things and driving away. I drafted her best friend to take them to the donation place. I deliberately don't know which place.
I came across Abby's ice skates in a closet today while looking for something else. Started remembering the last time she wore them. It was at Rock Center, just after Christmas one year, she was so happy!
There I sat on the closet floor, having a meltdown.
Yeah, this is fun.
Ken

(((hugs))) @ Ken...

Still haven't been able to take care of this part. Right now the clothes are still in the closet and his dresser. And I use some of his tee shirts to sleep in. Even though I have (compliments of him) a huge lingerie selection. ~sigh~

Going through the clothing and giving it away is just not something I can do yet.

This is really hard, having to go through things like clothing. I had to also do that early because of the move. I saved a few of his flannel shirts, his robe and the jacket he wore all the time and his old ratty sweater. They are hanging in the closet. Of course, his hat that he wore every day is next to his ashes.
I did this alone. I really think that being alone to do these tnings is better. You can take your time and not have to hold the emotions back. I would rather be alone to cry sometimes.
I have also kept his walker which I use for various things. He used the walker for years and I didn't feel right giving it away. I use it to tote the laundry basket, etc. Judith

Pete,
It sounds to me that you have made some progress. I have not done that yet and it been almost 1 year. I don't have the drive to get the clothing out of our walkin closet just yet. I did give some shoes away but not all of them. Good for your progress.
Peace to you,
Dave

Almost two years, and in the guest bedroom closet I have his tuxedo (he was a Mason) and he also wore it on cruises, and his prize T-shirt collection. Someone said to make a quilt, but I don't want that. He has one from ''Hell'' - Grand Cayman I think, one we got in Jamaica - Jamacian Bob Sled Team. Several from Sanibel Island, our favorite place in FL. One ''Hammered'' from Family Guy, and on and on. The one that I can never throw out is his sweatshirt - his hugs in this soft sweatshirt - oh man - nothing could ever hurt me when he hugged me. I know it's just ''stuff', but - well - you know. Jerry was also a Jaycee and has plaques with his name on them - what do you do with that? So hard..

I still have everything in his drawers and closet exactly how it was the night he died. I wear his tshirts to bed and my daughter has her "Daddy" shirt that she sleeps with under her pillow. His Hawaiian shirt collection still hangs in his closet. I dread the day I have to deal with all of it. For right now, it stays and I feel a little better with it there. Someday I will be ready, just not today. I know this was hard for you. But, another step on this journey. Hugs to you, Dawn

I still have his clothes in his closet and his dresser. It's been 18 months and I still can't bring myself to do anything with them. We had just moved here a few months before he passed away. There's even a few boxes in the closet that I never unpacked from the move. Seems like we'd just gotten most everything situated. Not like I don't have the room to leave them where they are. Some day, maybe. I just don't know what it will take to light the fire under me. Had to sale his motorcycle so it wouldn't just rust away and his truck. Then his dog passed away...yeah, I'll keep the clothes for a while longer. I don't care what anyone thinks about it.

I think that our loved one's clothing is the last thing we have of them. I had to give my husband's things away because of the move. I don't know if I would have given them away if I wasn't making the move. I just don't know.
I remember going over to my mother's house after my father died to help her go through his things. It was sometime after his death. She opened the closet door and I felt this bolt go through me. I momentarily thought, we can't give away his clothes, what if he needs them?
Right after his death, I came home from the nursing home and tossed some things in the trash. All of his meds. I got rid of, his teeth, anything that had to do with illness went out. I couldn't stand looking at those things. I have kept other things such as his ID card, his keys on the keyring, a king's crown that I bought for his 85th birthday celebration, his coffee cups, the wood models that he painted, and the green retired army hat that he bought for himself that he always wore, even in the nursing home. There are lots of little things that I have kept that remind me of him. I also have the stuffed white tiger that he clung to at the nursing home. The day before he went into the coma, he still clung to it.
So many things that I can't let go of. Judith

I also have not been able to get rid of any of Phil's clothes Somehow I find it comforting to have them just where they have always been.

I have everything - just where it belongs. I know in my heart that I have to sort through these things eventually, but I'm not ready yet. Since my husband was an avid runner I have (literally) hundreds of T-Shirts from the many races he ran. I am going to make each one of our children a quilt from them. I made one years ago for us - that one will always be mine as it is filled with T-shirts from races we ran together. When you are ready you will know it. That's what i keep telling myself.

19 months...all his clothes,shoes, boots, jackets are still in the closet..his dresser still full of clothes.... I have given tools and such to our son...A friend offered to take his hawaiian shirts that he preached in and make a quilt...but I havent been able to let them go yet...

Getting rid of clothes is a hard step indeed. First I boxed up Sherm's clothes, then the boxes sat in the corner of the bedroom. Took a couple months to move them to the trunk of the car and almost another to get them to Goodwill. His robe still hangs behind the bathroom door and his slippers are in the closet along with his leather jacket. And I am at the almost 8 month mark. You will do what you need as you feel okay with it. We all have our own time frame. Kathy

Clothes an items are tough regardless of how long it has been. I am sorry for your loss. There is an organization that will take pieces of your loved ones clothing and make a teddy bear or quilt and you could have many of Diane's shirts close to you.
It has been almost two years for me and I have gotten rid of most of the clothes to Big bothers and Salvation army, but I still have the towels in the bathroom that he used in the same spot and his razor still in the shower stall. Somethings are difficult to move.