The passing of a parent, particularly when one is younger is a pretty difficult thing to deal with. It comes with emotions and unspoken words that the child (and later, adult) carries with them for a long time. However, life moves on and sometimes that means having to deal with a step-parent, who might not take kindly to the memory of whoever they replaced.

A woman wondered if she was wrong for recovering her late mother’s stuff from the garbage after her stepmom threw it all out. We reached out to the woman who made the post via private message and will update the article when she gets back to us.

Wanting to keep some memorabilia of a late parent is very normal

Image credits: Toa Heftiba / unsplash (not the actual photo)

So one young woman was surprised that her parents were so unhappy when she took her late mom’s stuff from the trash

Image credits: Zinkevych_D / envato (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Special-Pea-9161

We like things that remind us of loved ones

Keeping memorabilia of late parents is a deeply human instinct, tied to memory, love, and the need for connection. When a parent passes away, their absence creates a space that can never truly be filled. Their voice, presence, and the small everyday moments shared with them become something we can no longer experience in real time. Memorabilia, whether it is a photograph, an old letter, a favorite sweater, or even a well-worn piece of furniture, becomes a way to bridge that gap. These objects help keep their memory alive, allowing people to feel a sense of closeness even when their loved one is gone. Memories are complicated, but most folks wouldn’t want to fully “forget” even if there were some issues.

A physical object can carry more than just sentimental value. It can hold the weight of a person’s history and identity. A handwritten note might bring back the warmth of a parent’s advice. A watch or a piece of jewelry may remind someone of the small gestures they made while wearing it, checking the time before leaving for work or fastening a necklace before a special event. Even something as simple as a coffee mug can bring back memories of quiet mornings spent together. These small but powerful reminders help preserve the emotional connection to a parent who is no longer there.

Beyond memory, memorabilia also provides comfort during the grieving process. Grief is complicated and does not follow a set timeline. Some people find solace in holding onto objects that belonged to their parents, while others might take years before they feel ready to go through them. Having physical reminders can offer reassurance in moments of sadness, as if a part of the parent still exists within reach. It allows people to continue their bond in a different way, one that is less about presence and more about remembrance.

Often these items are someone’s last link to their parents

Image credits: Aleksi Partanen / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Memorabilia also serves as a link between generations. Many people hold onto their late parents’ belongings not just for themselves, but to pass them down to children and grandchildren. A family heirloom, an old photo album, or even a collection of books can provide future generations with a sense of connection to their ancestry. These objects tell stories, offering glimpses into who their parents were before they became parents, what they valued, and the life they lived. In this way, memorabilia becomes more than just an object, it becomes a way to keep family history alive.

Holding onto a parent’s belongings is not just about remembering them, but about keeping a piece of them in daily life. Even if time moves forward and life changes, these objects act as small anchors to the past. They remind people of the love, lessons, and moments they shared with the ones who raised them. In a world that often rushes forward, having something to hold onto, something that carries the presence of a loved one, can be a quiet but powerful form of comfort.

This is all to say that throwing these items away was a very rude and even aggressive act. This late woman’s daughter deserved to be able to at least pick what she wanted to keep. The stepmom was perhaps feeling threatened, but that doesn’t justify her actions in any way. Setting that aside, attacking her after she rescued the items is just cruel, particularly when her own father didn’t have her back.

Most thought she was right and the woman gave some more details in the comments

Readers thought her parents were absolutely unreasonable

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