Have you saved treasures from your mom? Find and share them for a revealing -- and emotional -- tribute

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Here's a special Mother's Day ritual: Dig out the letters and other items that your mom gave you over the years, show them to someone, and tell the stories about her that relate to what you saved.

That's what I did two years ago. It was the most meaningful Mother's Day since my mom died.

Of course, I went a little overboard when it came to saving things. I kept all 104 cards and letters that Doris sent me since I was in high school in the early 1970s. Reading through them was like going back in history, discovering how the world, our lives and our attitudes, have changed over the decades.

And here's what made the big difference: Asking my friends and a few family members to read short excerpts out loud with me and discuss them. It gave me new perspective about my mother, and all of our mothers. 

But it didn't solve one problem. For those of us who save treasures from our mom, what should we do with them now?

For this, I needed an expert. So I interviewed my friend Susan, a psychoanalyst who has been helping parents and children for many decades. She didn't tell me to practice Swedish Death Cleaning. Instead, she shared insights about my mom that will apply to everyone who has or had a mother. Spoiler alert: It gets emotional.

I hope – after listening to the episode – you'll be inspired to share with family and friends what you've saved from your mom. If you find a special letter that you'd like me to consider sharing it in my blog, please send it to me via the Contact button on my website at throwitoutpodcast.com.

Happy Mother's Day!

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