House-clearing after the death of a parent - nostalgia, grief - how do you cope?

[Legacy]

Mum died over 2 years ago. I've just had to help my Dad clear out the family home of 40 years, as he is moving to a smaller place.

I thought I had coped with Mum's death well, but I was so overwhelmed with emotion by everything -bits of paper with her writing on; a strand of hair in an old comb; some scarves that still had her perfume; cards she'd sent me. She died at home and I stood in the spot where the bed was and just cried and cried.

The house didn't feel like home without her anymore, but I felt like I was closing down a whole chapter of my life - all the memories of my old room, the local area, bits of peeling paint in the house - everything really.

Is this what happens to everyone? Does nostalgia spill over into grief?

Lagacy,I know.
MIL and FIL died this year and we cleared the house in March but brought a lot back with us,which we went through last week.

Found pictures of them (which dh had never seen) taken in Blackpool photo booth on honeymoon,so happy young and in love.

Lots of other things too.

Broke our hearts.

Legacy,my mother always told me to take my time too,otherwise you end up getting rid of things you will later regret.

Was thinking about you last night.
Hope the pain eventually subsides leavingyou with happy memories of a life well lived.
XX

Although we cleared my Mums house a few months after she died, we got rid of furniture and jept quite a bit of "emotional" stuff at our house in a spare room until my sister and I felt strong enough to deal with it.
I too kept a scarf which had my mums perfume on it which I found really comforting.
Take your time and deal with things in your own way.
Love to you

Thank you for all your kind words. I have saved quite a few things, and they are a great comfort. It's just when I smell her perfume on things etc I just so wish I could have her back . It's so terribly hard.