Mums Kitchen Window
Im sat with my feet up at one side of the kitchen table, with my Mum a mirror image on the other side. We are gazing out of her window into the distance talking about; life, death, buttery toast, great grandchildren, snow, spring, my brother, a little dip into the larger world, whats for tea tonight. Wine or brandy? We have been doing this all my life. I am blessed and my eyes are filling.
I want to share these two photos. I love to take photos of my feet up and the view beyond. I was trying to capture Mums kitchen window when she stepped into the frame.
I bought those daffodils yesterday as buds. Yes I know its out of season. But my Mum needs spring. Every year she struggles with winter. And especially February the month my Dad died over 50 years ago. And so we surround her with ‘spring is coming’ every year. This year is more important than ever. After a serious fall she is in recovery. Making herself take it easy. But by spring she intends to be back in her garden and beyond.
The art above the window are gifts from one grandaughter celebrating the 3 great grandchildren. We have an Odin, one of his Ravens. A Phoenix, and a Persephone, the bringer of spring.
Below we have Mums crystals, always around her, casting rainbows when the sun shines. The kids catch those rainbows in fishing nets. Another bit of family nonsense. If you stand just right you can make them disappear just as the child nets them. One of the crystals is a Sail boat.
We did regular jaunts into the the nearest city every now and again with my girls, over a 20 year period. Mum spoilt them with clothes and makeup and stuff I couldn’t always afford. In one of our favourite shops we bought the tile picture on the right of the window. It reminds Mum and I of a holiday we had in Rome. It rained all week and we still dined on pavement cafes with the rain bouncing on the canopies above us. That rainy picture could have been our view.
Below that is Mums old cassette player. Music has been such a big part of her life. She has a beautiful voice. My brother plays many instruments. They record every time they get together. Mum still has tapes of my girls singing nursery rhymes. We keep picking up a cassette player in a charity shop cause they are going to disappear one day.
Then the good old kettle, tea and coffee. The cooker. The heart of every day. And even the clock, it has a loud tick.
That was lovely. I think you could make a running blog (is that a word) of things in front of your feet. A touch of humanity.
Thanks @Andreas I do have a few interesting ones.
Great blog, thanks. I can identify too. Same thing with my Mum when she was alive, except for the wine or brandy part which often turned out much more elaborate due to an extensive liqueur and aperitif collection from all their trips to Italy. It turned into a taste testing session sometimes, which could go on for hours – with conversation to suit.
Thanks @dj such lovely memories to have and share and still be making. ❤️
What a beautiful tribute to your mother! I lost my parents 1 year apart in February, so it is a tough month for me as well. I believe I will steal your idea of bringing daffodils into my home to remind me that spring will be here soon. Thank you for sharing @tjay
Im so sorry @LoriAnn that you lost both parents so close together. I just love the daffodils. So cheap to buy and so optimistic. I would love to think they help you too. 💔
HOLD fast to all those memories @tjay plant them into your brain, under lock and key, if necessary. Then they will NEVER ever leave you. 💞
You are so right @scorpio. Our lives are so interwoven every where I look we have memories. And the best bit us we are still making them.
@tjay , What a lovely photo of your Mother . She looks really lovely and you are so lucky to still have her as I lost my Mother when she was 79 in 1988 of a heart attack.
Hi @marie41-2 Im sorry you lost your Mum. We are never ready are we? I do know how lucky I am. Loving this time with her. ❤️
@tjay, No it was a shock as she passed away in Jan. right after New Years and I had flown home from Fremont, California back home to Baltimore , and had driven up to my T for Xmas on 12/ 87 and then flew back home to Fremont on 1/2/88 and she passed away on 1/ 8/88. Yes you are very lucky to have you Mother and to enjoy the time with her.
At least you spent that last xmas together 💔big shock though.
What a lovely blog and beautiful pictures.
Thanks, having a lovely time 💕