Frankly it has been a totally pants time for me. When I found out my mum was terminally ill I nearly ran away and hid because I really didn't think I could cope with dealing with her death as well as having to empty her VERY filled flat. The thought of clearing it was a black cloud that had been loitering around in the background of my life for quite a few years. Not sure if I showed you these but this was a corner of her lounge, her back bedroom and her kitchen.... "40 years of love and memories"
Anyhoo, I found the strength and I got through it. I've got through it all and I am still (semi) sane! And the really good thing about all this is that the remaining family have all pulled together and become close again. My son and my eldest daughter hadn't spoken for years but everyone is now back on track. On Tuesday evening I took everyone out for a family meal, the first time we have EVER done this and it was a raging success. Mum would have been SO pleased... as I am. We have all vowed to keep in touch on the family group WhatsApp page that was set up for funeral stuff and we will all meet for meals more regularly too.
The funeral passed as well as to be expected, in stiflingly stupid heat, but again we all got through it with dignity.
So I kind of feel a bit heartened about everything. Fresh start and all that. And a bit relieved. One more trip to mum's next week, with a van for the last bits of furniture and then I will look the door for the last time.
Surrounded by my offspring yesterday....
Anyhoo, I found the strength and I got through it. I've got through it all and I am still (semi) sane! And the really good thing about all this is that the remaining family have all pulled together and become close again. My son and my eldest daughter hadn't spoken for years but everyone is now back on track. On Tuesday evening I took everyone out for a family meal, the first time we have EVER done this and it was a raging success. Mum would have been SO pleased... as I am. We have all vowed to keep in touch on the family group WhatsApp page that was set up for funeral stuff and we will all meet for meals more regularly too.
The funeral passed as well as to be expected, in stiflingly stupid heat, but again we all got through it with dignity.
So I kind of feel a bit heartened about everything. Fresh start and all that. And a bit relieved. One more trip to mum's next week, with a van for the last bits of furniture and then I will look the door for the last time.
Surrounded by my offspring yesterday....