pretty little things
Recently I have started watching the show Hoarders. This show has now made me crazy with wanting to go through my whole house and purge everything.
The contrast between watching the hoarder show and then turning on the news and seeing the people of Haiti with nothing has left me with this desire to get rid of alot of stuff.
Yesterday, I was furiously tearing through my kitchen and now have bags and boxes ready to donate.
On the show I heard one of the Hoarders say she felt like she was drowning, and though I am not a hoarder, when I heard that I said to myself that's it!
That's what I am feeling.
and I started to think of my mom.
My mom was a funny lady. She was definetley not a hoarder. She was always very anal about her things. Everything had it's place, and was neat and tidy. She would come over to my house and help me organize my pantry or my linnen closet and when I didn't know what to do with something she would always say...
GET RID OF IT!
Growing up we had this one closet in our house that she always maintained. It was stocked full of household supplies and toiletries. It was organized like the shelves of a grocery store. When we would tease her about it, she would always respond that if anything ever happened to her my dad would be able to take care of himself for a while. Well, it's been over a year and I don't think he's had to buy anything but bread and milk!
Another funny thing she did was collect pretty litte things. For example, in this same closet there were towels we could use and towels we were NEVER to use, they were there so that when she opened the closet she could see something pretty.
When my mom passed I was the one who took care of her things. The summer before she passed I had taken her to see SEx and the City, the movie. She loved it, and left the movie saying she could'nt wait to go shopping, and that she wanted to buy and wear clothes like the character...
Samantha!
I know your thinking ... the sex pot one?
Yes, but, she didn't want the sexy so much as she wanted to mix and match clothes together that didn't neccessarrily go together.
That was not possible for her. Everything she EVER bought matched. Because we shopped so much she had quite the wardrobe. Purses and matching wallets, more accessories than you can imagine, and they all had matching outfits.
My mom never got to wear all the outfits she had put together.
I took all of her unworn things home with me.
I couln't let them go.
They were more than just clothes,
they were our unfinished buisness.
Dates, and events, places and times of things she looked forward doing that would now, never be done.
Before she left I told her I would wear them for her,
but I haven't.
Slowly I have given away a couple things here and there.
I think it's time to let them go.
I think it's okay with her too.
Mom passed on the 26th, yesterday was the 26th and I dreamnt I saw the most brilliant rainbow, so beautiful that I remember gasping aloud in my dream.
Today, I will gather the rest and remember the beauty and strength she showed as she gave her pretty little things away to those who had come to say goodbye to her.
Perhaps the people who recieve them will...
Have a change of clothing...
have something to put their belongings in...
have something new to wear to a job interview...
that wonderful feeling of a new outfit...
or maybe just to look at...
a pretty little thing.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 10:57AM
Reader Comments (7)
What a beautiful thing you have done for your Mom. She raised such a loving, giving daughter and I know she is smiling down on your decision. The rainbow your dreamt of last night I believe is a true testimony to that. We may let go of those "thing's" but it is the memories that are inscribed in our heart's that we will never forget. I know with all my being that your Mom ...my Dad would want us to move on, live life to it's fullest but never forget. This is such a beautiful post and brings many memories back to me. Thank you for sharing.....Much Love ♥♥♥
I so enjoyed reading your post about your mother. From reading your words I know how much your mother loved you and how very much she meant to you. Our mothers can never be replaced,. how lucky we are to have our memories. My mother also loved clothes. She was raised in poverty and I remember how she always told me how tough her childhood was. Very little to wear and the Salvation Army would pick a few children up from school and take them to get shoes and winter coats. She had so little, that when she was able to buy things for herself she wore them with pride. She loved shoes and purses. When she became ill I started going though her things. With every outfit or purse I picked up I would shed a tear, knowing what those simple items had meant to my mother. After she passed away, I could get rid of anything. After a year had gone by I knew i needed to move forward and give her things also so someone who would also make them happy. It was hard to let go but I did keep a few things. I must admit I kept the last thing she wore the day they took her from me. I couldn't let them go as they had her smell, I put them neatly in a bag and sealed it. Ever so often I pull the bag out and open it, and I can still smell her. It makes me happy amd it makes me sad. The memories all come back to me. I don't ever want to lose my memories. I miss her so as I know you do also. Thank God for our mothers.
that's so cute that she would leave pretty things in there. so sweet!!
I'm sure it's hard parting with your mother's belongs but It's great that you are passing them on to other's who will def enjoy them
Happy Thursday!
Nic
What a loving- beautiful post! and i just bet your mom is smiling down from Heaven!
Blessings!
Jill
p.s.- just saw the new designs!!!! off to "collect" a few! :)
I'm so sorry I'm just reading this now...I wish I had read it the day you posted so I could of commented and sent you big loving hugs through the internet. I KNOW your mom would love what you are doing...sharing her pretty things with people that can enjoy them and feel blessed to have them. But you knew that already since she told you herself through your rainbow connection.
Diana! That was beautiful. The funny thing is your mom sounds EXACTLY like my mom! We tease my mom by moving her perfectly arranged items (as in each item has the label facing forward, perfect rows of evenly sized things together).
Really that was very beautifully written! I got tears! I am sorry you lost your mom. It sounds like you had a really great relationship.
you are one exceptional lady.....I read this blog...and as I write to you tears are rolling down my cheeks. A mother has such a big role in our lives....my thoughts are with you...please in your designer flair re-create some of those pieces of clothing for mama!!!
kisses....and once again, you have inspirated me to be better. you were a mentor to me years (decades) ago...and you have done it again.
tig.