When my dad passed away about 8 years ago, my mum had this cathartic episode where she gave away virtually everything that she and dad owned, which even surpris

When my dad passed away about 8 years ago, my mum had this cathartic episode where she gave away virtually everything that she and dad owned, which even surprised us (my sisters and I). She even gave stuff away to strangers who came around to help her pack stuff to move to a smaller place. In one way, it was great that we didn't have to sort it all out and deal with it, but in another, there were some things (like my dad's golf clubs and the family piano) that I would dearly have liked to hold on to because of the intense good memories those items represented to me (mum taught me to play piano on that particular instrument, and I have very cherished memories of playing golf with my dad when he used that set). Now I am in the same bind, as I look around at all my stuff, including a collection of 30+ guitars that I have built up over the years. I've told my sons (who are both musical by the way) that they will inherit them when I am gone, but NOT to hold on to them as obsessively as I have. I explained to them that if it will help them to pay for studies, or buy a car/house etc. that they need, they should feel no hesitation in selling any and all of it as they see fit - there is no emotional obligation to them to hang on to 'stuff' unless they actually feel an emotional connection to do so. At one stage, I even considered being buried with one of my favourite guitars, but then I thought 'No', it would do much better service above ground if they can use or sell it instead.