behind to family or friends (here's where it relates), that home will have those types of memories wrapped up in it. That can make it extremely challenging to move forward and make decisions concerning the home. By selling, giving away or (heaven forbid) throwing away items that belonged to that loved one, feelings of betrayal, not loving them, not cherishing or honoring their memory can bubble to the surface. I'm with you, I've felt it too! Those memories many times have emotions attached to them that you may be very unaware of. I've lived through it personally three times with both sets of our parents and an extended family member. Mourning, tears, anger, joy, gratitude, regret, fear, angst, rage ... not only do these emotions rise to the surface but they can happen at the oddest moments, like in the midst of handling loved ones belongings, at dinner with a sibling, or putting a child to bed. These emotions don't even ask for permission, they just interrupt and force themselves upon you. And they most definitely happen when you need to make decisions about the estate. How inconvenient! When someone you've wanted to love and wanted to be loved by passes and that relationship has been destructive and harmful to you, handling their inheritance can feel dirty and shameful. It can feel very natural to not want anything to do with those belongings because they bring up the pain that's attached with the relationship. It's like ripping off a scab from an old wound. The emotions can be raw and incredibly uncomfortable. These memories and feelings are all part of the process. Most times I've found I want to just get to the end of it all, but there's purpose in the journey. This book is not meant to get into these details, but it is to say that I relate to your journey. Mine's not the same, but it's gone in a similar direction.
My desire, hope and prayer is that this book helps to lighten the
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