"IN MEMORY OF MY MUM, ZAIGA, TEN YEARS ON"
Only one last catch up after this entry and then back to normal.
First, I would like to remember my Mum ten years on, whom, even though she did not intend to leave me with such a mess, I miss dearly and appreciate her even more than before and hope that she knew in her heart how much she meant to me. I also would like to believe she knows I have honoured all that she was hoping for and then some. When I do look up at those stars I can see what I believe to be a twinkle of her eye just for me.
Today, is 28 October where I live and it has been ten years since my Mum sadly passed away and my journey with so much grief and horror began in earnest. It may have been a hard slog at times, but I also have learnt a lot along the way. Endurance, tenacity, loyalty, faith, forgiveness and other most amazing feelings. My Mum gave me the gift of love. That gift remains whether she is physically here or not. Her love lives on.
I had hoped to be finished by now, but the job ahead was so huge that was impossible. Gladly, I can state I am over the hump of the abundant work that I inherited and on the home stretch at long last.
Have just found some photos that I thought I would share a few here with you all in no particular order.
Mum and Sylvia. Both dearly missed.
Mum and Zigis.
With family from Mum's side in Sydney in the 1969. Mum, Tante Aina, ???, me and Grandmum.
Mum and I in Riga, Latvija in front of Hotel Riga. I was all of 19.
Mum and I in Riga, Latvija, Bralu Kapi by my Dad's father's grave.
In Japan. I am way up the back on the stairs.
Grandmum, Mum and I.
Dad, Zigis and Mum.
Mum and I.
Mum with Aija and her friend Laura.
Well, there are just a few memories. So many that I could share. Mum loved her family and clearly shows no matter what decade. Wish you were here like so many who have lost their Mum's. You are never far from my thoughts.
Now, onto the next instalment of this second last catch-up.
This time round the next post I shared was on 3 July. Not really to do with decluttering, but had an impact all the same.
Here is what I posted:-
"3 July
Excitement plus. After some 7 to 8 years living without a stove using a George Foreman small roaster and fry pan, I finally have had one installed last Saturday. Have gone through two Georges in that time. Scored said 7 year old stove from friends who are in the process of renovating their kitchen and knew I didn't have a working stove so offered it to me instead of going out in hard rubbish. The only cost was the electrician to install. Decided to use my birthday gift money that was earmarked for a TV antenna. I can wait a little longer for an antenna. A fully functional stove takes priority. Have cooked a few things on the stove top and am in heaven. Just look at it every time I walk into the kitchen. Doesn't take much to make me happy.
This stove may not fit the space perfectly or match the decor, but she looks beautiful to me.
Have said thank you to my friends, but for good measure, here is one more thank you."
You can imagine the great time I have been having cooking normally once again. Ah, the spoils of modern life. Try living without one of the modern wonders for a few years and then one appreciates the advances we have made.
Next was sorting the tools that had been left on and under tarps in the backyard with a little help from my women folk. No lads available.
Here is what we got done back in August:-
" · Melbourne, VIC, Australia ·
While there are parts of the world going through conflict and turmoil, at times it is best to look towards ones own backyard to keep from going mad. In my case, literally.
Last area to truly be sorted and finalised was all the tools from the shed. I had left them out of necessity on the backyard lawn on top of and under tarps, till I could deal with it all.
Snaps below show the backyard tarped, before and after, and now well on the way to being a usable backyard once more. May look like a mess still, but for me it looks perfect and is yet another milestone finally reached at long last.
Got this done in under an hour with a little help from my friends, Sonya and Sue.
The rest I can deal with what is left, over the next few weeks that will go out in the next annual hard rubbish collection in September.
Will be so happy when this outside part is finished so I can get the garden back into ship shape once again.
Looking forward to a garden party one day as my reward.
Once I am done with the 'Sort and Purge' component of this journey, next step is to impart most of this to those who will love old vintage tools. Having both my Dad's and Granddad's tools, along with Dad's fishing gear, even old, there is much to organise. The pink bath tile in the shape of a seashell as a soap holder is the original from my home from when it was first built in 1961. I am amazed my parents held onto so much. Astonishing what I have found."
Stella was helping also.
As one can see as slow as my progress is, each step done, is a step closer to being done.
As frustrated as I can be, I remind myself of how much I have achieved when I look back over the years. I have to remind myself to be kind and patient. Patience was never my strong suit in my younger days and is proving to be still a challenge at this end as well. But, patient with myself I must be.
All those who are finding it difficult to start or just keep going, remember, breathe and be kind to yourself. If it helps, then sit down with a cuppa, take a deep breathe and then after that tea, plunge in and do one drawer or one shelf. It will be one more drawer or shelf done. If that is all you can manage each day, then imagine in a year of days how much you will have achieved.
Just keep going forward and outward.
Last catch-up next time.
Till then.
Ciao for now,
Anita at the top of her mountain looking out onto the view of the future.
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