Grief is a funny thing. It slips up on me just when I least expect it but I think that is pretty typical. You just have to go with it.
Chris and I are at the beach this week for a very Covid safe get away. Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer, masks, Hello Fresh and Door Dash delivery and just basically doing beach walks and not out with anyone. It’s been pretty wonderful even if the weather has been less than wonderful. That really doesn’t matter as long as I can see the ocean from my condo.
I have a hanging toiletry kit and every time I use it I get hit with a memory and a little wave of grief.
If you look in that top pouch you can see a little bunny. That was one of the many bunnies that I gave my mom over the years. When we packed up her stuff before her move to Memory Lane a couple years ago I took a lot of her little bunnies. This was one that I just kind of stuck in this bag and every time I travel I see it.
When she lived in her villa at Copeland Oaks I was able to go visit her quite often and I would stay for 5 days or so and just spend time with her. One of the things I did was leave hidden notes and little bunnies all over her house before I left. She would find them weeks after I left and always laughed about them and how her collection was growing due to her daughters.
It was a silly little thing I did but it was something that made memories. I am so grateful for those. This week I have had another friend lose her mom and another friend struggling with the further decline of her mom and it is just difficult. As we get older we “know” that we will lose our parents but it does not make it any easier.
I am so happy for these memories and for little bunny reminders that pop up to give me a little nudge to remember those good memories.
Do you have anything like these little bunnies that remind you of a loved one when you see them? I would love to hear all about it so leave me a comment and Comment for a Cause for Copeland Oaks Library.
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Leave a commentHow special. My little bunnies are my granddaughters. Today they posted fabulous pictures of them with my mom over the years. My son was a single dad when they were small and I lived in another province. My mom was a huge help to him and the girls spent a lot of time with her. She taught then to cook, bake, clean do laundry etc. and the importance of family. Looking at thise pictures brought back many memories and tears of course. I realize the influence Mom had on so many of us.
I saw those pictures –what a blessing your mom was and what an influence she had on so many lives. I am so sorry for your loss but know that you, like me, are spending time remembering the wonderful times together. Hugs. XO
Thanks for your kind words, I am doing that. Thankfully we have so many great photographs that spur the memories. Hugs back.
Oh, my goodness, what a precious remembrance. This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your openness and honesty. Thank you for sharing moments of your beautiful life with us. Your mother was so very blessed to have you, and I can only imagine her laughter when she found the little treasures that you left for her. How very thoughtful. Big hugs to you on this day.
Aw Renee–thanks. I write these posts and wonder if they are going to mean anything to anyone and then I find out they do and it makes my heart happy.
I can picture your mom finding those bunnies after your visits. What a wonderful idea. I have small ceramic bowls that my mom made. They make me smile wistfully.
Of course she would always chastise me for spending money on them but hey–they were all cheap little things and it made me smile to think she was finding them long after I had left for home.
Daffodils
My mom loved these. Her birthday is in a few days.and the daffodils are in bloom everywhere.
Daffodils are the perfect reminder of your mom! I love it!
Hugging you!
Thanks! Feeling it!
I don’t have any physical items but I always think of my grandma when I see a butterfly. Years ago, we were tending my grandfather’s grave and a butterfly started flitting about and she told me it was him saying hello. When I finally had a chance to visit her grave long after she unexpectedly passed away, there was a butterfly and I knew it was her telling me she’s ok. So now when I see butterflies, I think of her and other loved ones.
Susi– I LOVE this! And now when I see a butterfly I will think of you and your grandma and grandfather!
Oh my, I have sooo many I can’t list! But the silliest is I have the hard boiled egg slicer from my childhood home! Mom loved making egg salad and so do I. I also have the pancake/waffle maker that must be 75 years old. Talk about seasoned! And, (some may find this morbid) I have a cotton night shirt that was hers. 15 years later I still wear it! Moms ❤️
Not morbid at all! I love all the things that keep our loved ones close.
awwwww, what a sweeet memory!!
Thanks!!!
It’s good to have those precious memories, no matter how small they are, . My mother was an avid quilt maker, and I have several that she made. Every time I wrap myself up in one, I imagine my mom’s arms around me.
That is a wonderful image!!
I love that you have this little bunny to remind you of your mom. As I left my mom on Saturday, I held her parting words of “I love you” close to my heart. After a year of separation, that was an incredible gift we gave each other, especially since we could not physically connect. Soon, I hope.
What sweet memories with the bunnies for you and your Mom. My Mama always raised and loved petunias. I always thing of her and her beautiful flowers.