Friday, May 6

In loving memory

"Frühlingserwachen"
With Mother's Day coming up this Sunday I've been feeling subdued all week. (For new readers - my Mom sadly passed away shortly before Christmas last year). Since I can remember this special day had always been a mother/daughter day. As a girl I used to craft a little something for my Mom  and when I was older I treated her to coffee and cake at a nice café. This was our tradition and we looked forward to it every year.

The above watercolor was the last thing we talked about right before her voice disappeared. At the hospice there was an art therapist that sat with us each day. My Mom's favorite season had always been spring, so the artist painted a beautiful tree with fresh green grass below and later added a little hedgehog, a kitty and birdies. We named it "Frühlingserwachen" spring awakening and we had hung it on the wall, so that my Mom was able to see it from her bed.
When my Mom passed and I went to retrieve her items the first thing I noticed was that the painting was missing. At the time I was so distraught that it really freaked me out, especially because it was the last thing we talked about, plus her final wish had been for me to have it framed! In hindsight I probably drove the entire staff crazy by having them search every nook and cranny for it. Somebody eventually found it in a drawer, which made me burst into tears. Everyone was sympathetic though.

my mom's cat Sumi
The weeks that followed were horrible. I had just lost my Mom, my best friend and confidante. All I wanted was to crawl into bed and grieve. Of course, this wasn't possible. I'm sure anyone who has lost a close relative can relate how tedious it is to cut through the red tape and having to deal with authorities, notaries, banks etc. I've encountered some tough situations before, but this was beyond awful. It took all of my energy to keep my shop up and running, especially since the first quarter is typically my busiest! With everything else going on I'm surprised I still achieved my sales goals. I'm currently tying up loose ends, but I can finally see a light at the end of a long, dark tunnel...

Sumi, my Mom's cat of twelve years has grown very attached to me. If it were up to her she'd love to have me all to herself! I sincerely hope that she will live a long and happy cat life despite her medical condition. P.s. she really, really loves that pink rug, which is already looking a bit frayed :)
My mother had rescued countless feral cats and two street dogs throughout her life, and at one point even took in a very sick and undernourished street kid, took him to the hospital to be treated, and then gave him a bed, fed and nursed him back to health. Too bad the kid's much older brother, a real bully, came and took him away one night. We never heard of him again. I sometimes wonder whether the boy remembers the loving care he received from my Mom all those years ago.

My mother was such a gentle soul and she always provided a safe and loving home for my brother and me. We were very lucky! My brother and I wanted to honor our Mom in a special and meaningful way. So we sponsored a cat condo at The Washington Animal Rescue League. It's now got a plaque with our mother's name on it. WARL, founded in 1914, a private non-profit is the oldest animal welfare shelter in Washington D.C. They have a neat search site for adoptable kitties, so if you live in the area and are looking for a pet, do consider giving a shelter cat or dog a loving furever home! #adoptdontshop

In the picture above (not sure what year this was, probably 80s judging by the perm) my Mom is busy at work in the little aromatherapy shop she shared with a friend. My mother was a trained aromatherapist and foot reflexologist. I learned so much about essential oils from her and am now the proud owner of Valerie Ann Worwood's The Fragant Pharmacy, an encyclopedic tome on the many diverse benefits of essential oils and which I reference often.

This Mother's Day I will buy a bouquet of my Mom's favorite flowers, put on some jazzy tunes (my Mom's favorite), diffuse her favorite aromatherapy oils (rose and geranium) and remember all the special moments we shared. I miss her dearly.

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25 comments:

  1. Liebe Duni,
    mit Tränen in den Augen habe ich Deinen Post gelesen.
    Deine Mama war eine tolle Frau und ich bin mir sicher, dass sie die Blumen, die Du für sie kaufen wirst, sehen, fühlen und riechen kann.
    Alles Gute wünsche ich Dir für den Sonntag.
    Herzlichst Deine ANi

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  2. Hallo liebe Duni,
    erst einmal mein herzliches Beileid zum Tod Deiner Mutter vor Weihnachten. Es tut mir sehr Leid, dass sie gegangen ist. Für sie selbst war es sicher eine Erlösung.
    Ich finde es wunderbar, dass Du sie in guter Erinnerung hast und hältst und diesen Post nur ihr gewidmet hast. Ich habe lange Zeit Aromatherapie angewendet und bei Susanne Fischer-Rizzi gelernt. Mit den Reflexzonen habe ich mich auch schon beschäftigt, aber leider Vieles wieder vergessen.
    Viele liebe Grüße, Synnöve

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  3. What a beautiful post and tribute, Duni. Your mom sounded like a very special person, just like you. I can't imagine how difficult this Mother's Day will be, but it sounds like you have some wonderful things planned to honor your mom. Sending lots of love.

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  4. Meine liebste Duni,
    was für ein wundervoller Erinnerungspost über Deine liebe Mama!
    Sei ganz lieb gedrückt ...ich denk an Dich ...
    ♥ Allerliebste Grüße, Claudia ♥

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  5. What a beautiful tribute to your mother. Sending love.

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  6. beautiful sharing ,it touched my heart as i lost my mom few years ago and still feel when the phone bell rings that may be it would be my mom who will ask me how are you darling ,

    your picture is great ,moms are always a shady tree to their kids they provide shelter and save from harmful heat of time and incidents whenever we come near to them,may her soul rest in peace and may God bless you with strength to bear this pain

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    1. Thank you Baili, and I'm sorry for your loss. I can relate to your comment about when the phone rings... ((hugs))

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  7. What an awesome tribute! I truly enjoyed reading about your mom, and her life and passions. You did well by sharing that legacy for all of us to learn and enjoy.

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  8. What a lovely tribute to your mom. I'm glad you found the painting. Thanks for sharing your memories of your mom. Sending purrs and hugs to you.

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  9. Such a touching post about your mother. my condolences. We all miss our loved ones who have passed away. However, the mother is a special person in a child's life. Forever.

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  10. What a beautiful tribute to your mom. She must have been amazing with that huge heart of hers! I'm so glad the painting was found. Now you can frame it and hopefully it will bring a smile to your face each day with fond memories.

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  11. Purrs to you today as you remember your mother. For the past year my human has been going through the same legal and paperwork issues because her father passed away a year ago, and he left things kind of messy. So she totally understands what you have had to deal with!

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    1. Yup, my Mom too. Thanks for understanding. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in this...

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  12. **Hugs to you, Duni** I was just thinking a couple days ago about how Father's Day will feel without my dad for the first time. It's rough. Sending love your way this weekend!
    (PS - so glad Sumi has made herself more at home)

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    1. Thank you, Natasha. I've been thinking of you and the impending Father's Day... ((hugs))

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  13. A very nice tribute to your mom. Thinking of you and sending hugs

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  14. I can see where you get your kind heart from and desire to help people and animals. What a special relationship you had with her, and hope that you have a beautiful Sunday

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  15. Oh, Duni...I wish I could just give you a big hug on this, very first Mother's day without your mom. I know she is with you and Sumi...but I know that doesn't make it better. I am thinking of you on this "first". It gets better...you never forget, but I think you grow more numb as the years go on.

    Sending love and hugs, dear friend.

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  16. What a wonderful tribute to your mom. She sounds like someone I would like to have known :) I hope the day is filled with heartwarming memories and that you remember she is always with you. God bless you, Duni.

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  17. Thinking of you and your mom right now. Seems you had a wonderful relationship! That is a blessing to remember and the way you are choosing to remember has touched my heart!

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  18. Beautifully written Duni. That is such a lovely way for you and your brother to honour your Mum. I'm sure she would love that. Thinking of you, Chelsey x

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  19. A beautiful tribute, Duni. Sending you love and light during a sad week. I can't wait to see how you frame the painting. That's such a special keepsake to have.

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    1. Thank you, Renee. I think she wanted white with a fine gold trim :)

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  20. Meine liebste Duni,

    was für ein wundervoller Beitrag – und meinen größten Respekt für deine pure Ehrlichkeit! Dass du deine Gefühle und Gedanken mit uns teilst über deine Mutter! Das kann und traut sich nicht jeder...!
    Sie klingt nach einer großartigen, sehr gütigen Frau – es sollte mehr solcher Menschen auf der Erde geben ♥

    Ich sende dir ganz viel Liebe zu und wünsch dir von Herzen nur das Beste! Denn auch du, bist ein sehr sehr toller Mensch :*
    Ich drück dich ganz lieb,
    deine Rosy ♥

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