First posted in October 2019. We have grown so much more than we ever thought we would, and we want to share our earlier posts. We aim to reflect on the early struggles of our grief, and what we went through without our mum. We are proud of where we have come from, and of where we are going. We hope you are as well.
If you are struggling with your grief, that is okay. You are not alone.
~
It’s been a little while hasn’t it?
I managed to move in to that affordable flat that I was willing the universe to send to me through endless manifestations and positive thinking.
A lovely flat with my friend and my dear cat, Daisy. A flat that is so much more spacious and quiet than I ever thought possible for London.
Much like how I decorate my new room with little trinkets (some new, some brought from Devon), I now decorate my days with activities, new and old. Activities that I want to do.
Once again, Sundays have become my favourite day of the week. My phone is turned off, I catch up with Great British Bake Off, and I practice painting with watercolours. I’ve joined the library too and have spent countless hours cuddled up with my cat just reading.
Healing.
This new room reflects my mind. It’s mine now. I haven’t been able to say that since, gosh, I don’t remember when. Memories aren’t forced upon me of the time Mum was ill and- no. There’s a calmness now.
This space is mine, my time is mine, my mind is mine. I share it with who I want to.
What a luxury.
Someone told me once that I’d be happy, but I’d be alone.
Reflecting on that comment, I catch myself smiling sometimes. After such chaos what a luxury to finally feel so peaceful on my own? What a luxury to be able to be so self-centred, so selfish? What a luxury, to have normal complaints that friends my own age can relate to? What a luxury to moan and laugh about our troubles with men rather than query what type of landlord insurance I need and how the heck do I declare tax? What a luxury to make a last minute decision to go to that party and wake up the next day covered in glitter and hazy memories from the night before – What a luxury to feel 24?
Sometimes, not knowing what to do with this new-found freedom, I just lie back on my bed. I revel in the morning sunshine that casts rainbows all over my my bedroom walls, refracting through the sun catcher hanging in my window.
Mum would love these rainbows.
Mum.
Inevitably, I also think of the growing space between us now. The distance, but also the space that time has created over these last 14 months.
London has been a drastic change from Devon. I’ve started a job that she will never hear about. I’ll never tell her my London anecdotes. I’ll never again hear her say “Oh, I just love the theatre, you must go, you must!”
I see countless faces on the tube every day. In all of them, I still search for hers. And I wonder, is my mum less real in a place where none of these faces knew hers?
Is my mum less real in my new flat, in my “new” life that she will never visit?
Katie
Copyright © 2019 The Grief Reality. All Rights Reserved
That’s a beautiful hare.
Thank you, I’ve only recently started painting with watercolours. I’m really enjoying it 🙂
It is relaxing and enjoyable. Almost meditative.
So wonderful! Thank you for this! I love your painting too!!
I lost my mum 20 years ago in February. For you, as for me – still – I hope you find moments to talk with her, out loud or silent, and share with her stories and thoughts that you have. As time goes by, we are given the grace to start to remember them more often in happy memories than the said ones at their passing. I promise! Meanwhile, keep breathing and keep working through your grief, step by step.
You are a talented artist and a naturally gifted writer. Your posts are always thought provoking and interesting. x
Thank you for commenting you dont know how much supportive comments like yours mean 💗
You are very welcome. X
That painting is wonderful. Just made me smile. My mum has been gone now for 3 years. I went through a stage of feeling sad about not being able to tell her about new stuff. Then for some reason I found a lovely photo of her and started telling the photo all the new stuff. It’s really helped. Must admit (this is really lazy) I got tired of saying the same thing to the photo and my partners ashes. So I moved them together so I didn’t need to repeat myself.
Hi! Thanks for saying so!
That’s a really good idea, I keep photos on me at all times but maybe a specific place to dedicate time to actually say it all aloud would be a good move.
Cant help but laugh a little that you moved them both next to each other to save repeating yourself – how funny!
I needed a pick me up today and your comment was just that, thank you 🙂
Your painting is lovely! I can see you have a great creative flare!
London sounds amazing! I’m sure you never run out of inspiration of things to paint in London!
I love cats too!!! Daisy is such a cute name! I have a kitten named Mini!
I’m so happy that you’ve begun to find healing.
God bless!
❤ Abi Lyn
Your hare is wonderful, it has real eye appeal and character – did you study art at Uni?
It is so nice to have rainbows IN your room 🙂 – as we move into Summer Down Under the evening sun moves south and starts to send rainbows into my kitchen, i always stop for a moment to twirl the prism and watch the rainbows dance on the walls and ceiling. 🌈 🌤️
As for your Mum, we all make our own Reality so she will be every bit as real as you really wish to make her in the reality you chose to live for yourself.
Others may see it differently to you, but you only get one life, so you might as well live the one you prefer to the one others might want for you.
Naturally there are times when we have to make compromises, but i don’t think you need to as far as your Mum is concerned? Tell her all about London life. 😉
Wow thank you. No I studied languages, then translation. Thank you, that’s a massive compliment.
That sounds beautiful, keep taking your time to take them in 🙂
Yes, and I think for this period of my life that is exactly what I am focusing on. Choosing the life i want to live and I feel really grateful.
I will tell, thank you 😁
A pleasure! 🙂
I hope you keep up your artwork and you can share some more of it with your followers. 🙂
(And your Mum) 😉
Yes, that’s the plan. I feel really inspired by what we can do on this blog and it spurs my creativity and desire to paint more. Just trying to fit it all in with my new routine, but definitely in mind 🤩 do you do art?
I’ve not really done that much to develop my artistic ‘talent’ (A-hemm), other than in photography where i like to think i’m a semi-talented amateur. 😀
But i do have strong ideas about what i call Art and i believe you have talent as a real artist. (albeit from the little i have seen!) 😉
I’ve been more into my talent for the science areas (Phys/Chem/Astronomy) and lately delving into philosophy and understanding of the ‘self’ and our relationship to everything.
Thank you for the question. 🙂
I’ve seen some of your photography on your blog, it’s really good and even better that you enjoy it! Evee is a photographer too, her photos are beautiful. Maybe in the future I’ll give it a go 🙂
That’s really interesting that you say you’re getting into philosophy and learning about the self, I am too! Would you recommend any books?
Thank you Katie. 🙂
Actually, i would be a little reticent recommending any reading as i believe it is a very personal study and what i find helpful , or of interest might not serve you well in your search.
Also, i’m trying to ‘go back to the beginning’ and have been working on building up a personal understanding of ‘my’ philosophy that i could see might apply to everyone equally which i believe is distinct from reading what others have found for themselves and written about.
That is not to say i don’t read the philosophy works of others however. Recently i read a work of Aristotle, or one of his adherents to be precise, on the Theology of Arithmetic.
I also listen to Buddhist practitioners and have experience in esoteric practice, including ancient Hermetic thought.
I tie all of the above in with my studies and thoughts on how our brains function from the very basic cellular level to the arising of conscious awakenings, so it might be tricky for me to offer you some resource that is appropriate for the area you wish to delve deeper into?
I am always happy to answer questions to the best of my ability, however and would welcome any ideas you have had as you learn that you may like to share or seek feedback upon. 🙂
Beautiful painting and happy words. May you stay happy and blessed 😊❤
Reblogged this on Stories of Hope and commented:
http://www.momsgarden.wordpress.com
Mother will never leave you. Mothers never do. It is not in the job description or in their makeup. The bond, the love are all alive tucked away in the most tender reaches of your heart an in your memory. They will always be there. SHE will always be there for you. God Bless.
This comment means so much to me 🤍
Your mum is real. She certainly is real here.
Thank you so much for saying that x