"My family members fled Southeast Asia via boat. They left everything behind and endured a dangerous months-long journey in the Pacific Ocean and then at refugee camps. When you've left everything behind from your 'past life' and world, I can understand why my father would hoard and not bear to throw away or donate anything. Even my mother and I have our own problems with the tendency to hold onto items and shop to cope with stress. Our home is not really livable. Guests cannot come over because of all the stuff taking up every available space; the house serves more so as a storage container. I know others can relate. It takes a lot of ongoing work to heal from traumas, including intergenerational."