Essays / What is the sentimental value(s) that a wedding ring can have if one of the couples dies? [3]

My essay is based on a story about an old man whose wife died of diabetes and his only two children are far from him in the navy. He wants to remove his wedding ring from his finger to know what the inscription says, but his swollen ring finger won't let him. He is afraid to lose some of his items like the ring and a wrist watch that his late wife gave him on their anniversary, saying that they've got sentimental values. Please, give me some ideas about what it means.