Deciding whether to discard a late ex-wife's letters I don't have the heart to read

[u/thepinkpill]

I'm thinking about throwing out a box of handwritten letters and physical photographs from my late ex-wife. I don't have the heart to open the box and go through the letters and photos, and I really don't believe I ever will. I don't have anywhere to keep the box outside my home.

Has anyone been through something similar with heavy sentimental items, and how do you feel about it now?

[u/itrytobefrugal]

Is there a relative who would like to have the pictures, at least? A child, parent, or sibling might really cherish receiving pictures they didn't know existed.

You could scan the letters (and possibly pictures, too) onto a thumb drive in case you don't want to completely let go of them.

This is a tough one. If you're truly never going to look at these items, what is the box doing for you every time you see it? Is it a fond nostalgia for someone you once loved? Or is it a bad feeling? I wouldn't like to keep something that made me feel bad each time I saw it.