Every week, since my mom died, when I type that title I think of new ways in which life, as it turns out, does go on, even when we think it won't. We've celebrated a baby gender reveal, a few birthdays, and now our first holiday without my mom. Some have told us that they were advised that it was a good idea to start new traditions so the loved one's absence isn't quite so palpable. It's a great idea and I know that it's been exactly what some people needed to do. For us, we needed to honor our mom by doing Easter dinner the way she would have done it. We put out the china and the Easter decorations; we made the traditional foods, and a couple of new dishes. It was hard for a bit but we think she would have been proud of us.
Listened To: I finished, finally, How Much Of These Hills Is Gold and started Laura Lippman's Sunburn, which is this month's book club choice.
Watched: A lot of college basketball, This Is Us, Hometown on HGTV, and the first games of the MLB season (thanks T-Mobile for the free subscription to MLB.com!).
Read: I'm bouncing around a bit. I started Peter Geye's latest, Northernmost, but then Steve Leder's The Beauty of What Remains came in and I'm more focused on that right now. It's the comfort I need right now. Thanks for recommending it, Ti!
Enjoyed: It has been warm here this weekend and we spent a lot of time sitting on my parents' front porch. Last night we had a fire, today we had mimosas out there, all weekend we had laughter. It was good to be together and laugh. 
This Week I’m:
Planning: 40 Bags in 40 Days may just run through April. I have gotten rid of 30 bags but still have so many areas I want to work on. This week I want to focus on my office and start the basement.
Thinking About: Flowers and gardens - I'm so ready for a trip to the nursery!
Feeling: I got happy hour with friends Monday and lots of family time this weekend and this introvert loved all of that people time!
Looking forward to: Ya know, I still look forward to weeks with nothing on the calendar even though there's been almost nothing on the calendar for a year!
Question of the week: We had chocolate pie, strawberry pie, and red velvet cake for my nephew's birthday for dessert today. Which would you have picked?
I am glad Leder's book is helping you during this period of grieving. I've found it to be incredibly versatile. Grief comes in so many forms.
ReplyDeleteMy gluten free self cannot enjoy any of those desserts but I would have chosen the chocolate pie!
Can you at least still eat the fillings of a pie? Pie is not a thing I crave but there are some that I really do love but most I'd be just has happy eating without the crust.
DeleteI'll probably do a half and half of the chocolate pie and red velvet cake! :D
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you are finding your own way to remember your mom by and cope with the grief. It is not easy but hang in there - She is always with you through the ways you are remembering and honoring her.
I was hoping to spend some time today with my garden but looks like there's rain all day so I guess I'll have to do this another day now. Have a great week, Lisa!
You are so right - my mom is always with me. For her birthday this year we are sending out requests to 88 people (it would have been her 88th birthday) and asking that they do something kind in honor of her on that day. My dad called her Nice Lady and we think she would love to know that people were being nice because of her legacy.
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