Reader wonders about giving away her possessions

Dear Annie: Please settle a disagreement between my elder sister and me. We will abide by your decision. I recently turned 85 and don’t expect to see Christmas, as I am in very poor health. I have been passing heirlooms on to family members, primarily to my granddaughters and their kids, as I lost my eldest son in the early ‘80s to AIDS and my daughter in 2012 to alcohol.

I want to give my coin collection and gold watches to my ex-son-in-law. Even though he and my daughter divorced 40 years ago, he has always treated me very well, so much better than my daughter did. I’ve known him since he and my daughter were 15, and he has always been polite and considerate, sending my husband and me photos of our grandkids and greatgrandkids over the years. When we couldn’t attend his eldest daughter’s wedding, he sent us a beautiful video of the event. When we would attend a family function at one of his daughters’ homes, he and his current wife would always spend time talking to me and listening to my family history stories. If not for my granddaughters and their father, I don’t know what I would have done.

I have always admired the relationship he has with his daughters and grandkids and the way he cares for his wife. It is such a great pleasure to be in their presence and see the family life they enjoy.

My sister says that to give my things to my ex-son-inlaw would be a slap in the face to my late daughter. My sister has always disapproved of my daughter’s marriage, even though she knows what a fine man he is. He already has some collectable coins, and I think he would appreciate mine. So what do you think? Wish I Could Give Him More

Dear WICGHM: Your possessions are yours to give. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. But since you asked, I will say that your former son-in-law sounds like a wonderful man, and I think passing these heirlooms down to him would be a sweet way to honor the special friendship you’ve shared throughout the years. Sweeter still, he actually collects coins, so you can be sure he’ll treasure the collection.