Mother's Day
My mum is long gone, but I still miss her. I don’t think we ever stop missing our mums, do we?
This is one of my favorite photos of her, taken when she was a schoolgirl. Cute, eh? She was a smart little cookie and won a scholarship to a posh boarding school when she was quite young. I don’t think she was very happy there — the other girls were very snobby, and she was just a girl from the country, not posh, not rich, just smart. I think she was quite lonely, and though she made friends all her life, none of them came from her schooldays. But she did well — as well as being Dux (top) of the school when she graduated, and winning a bunch of prizes (mainly books with certificates inside them), she was very musical with a gorgeous voice. She was also athletic — she once did 22 backflips in a row!
She’s been especially in my mind lately, because as I pack up this house, getting ready to move, so many of the things I’m packing came from her — china, glassware, silverware, and various gifts through the years. Some of them I never use, and I’m trying hard to stiffen my resolve and give them to charity. (I’d rather give things to the charity shop than sell them on line.)
I confess, I’m not having huge success. I’m packing some things that I know I shouldn’t, and will take them to the new house, and I’m telling myself that I’ll have more resolution once the move is completed. We’ll see . . .
What a cutie! If you have room, keep your treasures. There are those of us paid to dispose of treasures thoughtfully and carefully when necessary. Between now and then, you may come across someone who will treasure her things as you do, too.
Thanks, Marianne. I’ll keep that in mind. When I gave away my record collection some years ago, I wrote down all the ones I thought I’d miss most and that made it easier. It was also easier because it went to a friend of mine and he was delighted with it.
I’ve been going thru my house so I can move closer to family. It was my parent’s house and has lots from 2 sets of grandparents who lived reasonably close so we got a lot from them too. It is hard to let things go. My nephew talked me into selling some things online – fun to see what people want. Lots have gone to charity shops and rummage sales. Working on getting more together for another drop off. My other nephew has just bought a house so he’s more interested in having some things. Hopefully it will be down… Read more »
Thank you Diane. I made 7 trips to the op-shop and a friend took more for me, but I still have more to take, even after I’ve moved. It’s hard, but the more I give away the easier it gets.
The Flylady (Flylady.net) says to take pictures of things and then give them away. If there is a thrift shop that gives money to a good cause you like, then that is a great place to donate. Our hospital gift shop told me that they were able to buy medical software for the new cancer center with the money they made by selling my donated books. Yes, there were a lot!!!
Thanks, Linnea — yes, I know and like FlyLady and I’ve found that good advice. One of the things I gave away was a garment I’d knitted when I was young — it had very cute patterns on it and I loved it. But I took a photo of it and away it went.
Lovely photo indeed of your mother when she a schoolgirl. Her braids are amazing. I agree that mothers are ones we never forget. I miss my mother and father so much as we did not have much time together once I left home. Now I have so many questions and would love to sit and talk with them about their childhood and as young parents to 7 children. My husband and I moved to this house 16 years ago. We had donated, discarded, sold many of our belongings and treasures. When we got to this house it was empty and… Read more »
Thanks, Margot — yes isn’t it so often the way, that after they’ve gone there are all sorts of things we wish we’d talked about.
When I moved into the old house it was empty, too, and I’m determined I’m not going to do that again here. But first I need to empty it a bit. LOL
I can’t part with my mother’s things either. I miss her so much, and like to have these daily reminders of her around me.
Yes, it’s hard, isn’t it, Pam? Hugs.
My mother died at 56, the year I turned 35. My father remarried 3 years later and I adore my stepmother who is only 11 years older than I. When my dad sold the house we’d always lived in, to move in with Patricia, she called me and asked what I particularly wanted of my mother’s. In the end, she saved even more things than I’d listed, and some of those things are my greatest treasures. As long as I have room for them, they’ll be with me. Meanwhile, I am desperately trying to cull “stuff” I’ve managed to acquire… Read more »
How lovely and sensitive of your stepmother.
“What? Why?”
Exactly! I ask myself the same questions.
But I WILL get rid of more stuff. This house is lovely and I want to keep it that way. Watch this space…