My Mum's Circle of Life 🖤

Greetings dearest friends & readers 🖤

On the 31st of August, the official last day of Winter here at the bottom of the world, my beloved Mum's Circle of Life came to a close.  As she took her final breath, I was there by her side holding her hand, patting her head & playing her favourite song.  I told Mum that it was okay to go & be with Dad now, to be well & happy & healthy again.  That's how I like to think of them now ... together after 22 years apart.

When Mum met Dad he was fresh out of the Armed Forces & not ready to settle down.  She loved him & waited patiently ... eventually they got engaged, married & moved up to Taranaki to begin their new life together.

They became parents to my brother & I - & built a house at Number 44 where Mum was to live for the next 61 years of her life.

Mum loved being a wife, a mother & a homemaker - even during the difficult years, of which there were many. Money was tight & Mum learned to be frugal, to make-do-and-mend  .... qualities that never ever left her.

(Mum is on the left in both photos)

Born & raised in the Manawatu area, Mum was the 3rd eldest of 11 siblings!  Her favourite always, was her older sister Margaret, gone 6 years now.  They remained close all of their lives.

Mum was always neat & immaculate - both in her appearance And especially in her Home.

After Dad passed away, 22 years ago now Mum decided she'd like to try travelling, having never ever been out of New Zealand.  

Together we were lucky enough to do 4 trips to Australia over the ensuing years - we both thoroughly enjoyed these trips immensely, visiting two of Mum's brothers.

Youngest Son Kayne & wife Nicole on left & eldest son Aaron & wife Sarah with Mum on right - taken April 2022 - Mums 93rd birthday !

Mum loved being Nan to my 2 sons & was delighted when she was able to attend both their weddings, 8 & 9 years ago now.  

Mum would often say to me "I hope I live long enough to be a Great Grandmother but I don't think that I will".              It was to her utter delight that she got to become special "Great Nan" to Alec & Sid, 6 & 8 years ago now.

I absolutely LoVe this photo above & we used this on Mum's service sheet for her funeral 💗

Taken at a re-union lunch in the Bay of Plenty almost 7 years ago now - the last remaining siblings of the 11, both Mum & Aunty Marg (seated centre) now passed away.

Mum (reluctantly) entered Resthome Care last June (aged 93) & these photos were taken then.  Altogether Mum was in the Resthome for 15 months. 

When I cleared out No. 44 for sale last February,  I came across this plastic Shampoo Product bag & put it in my brother's Safe.  After Mum's passing we opened it & along with Birth Certificates & Mum's Will, it contained all her requests for her Funeral arrangements ... the Undertaker she wished to use, the Venue, the type of Casket she wanted, the Flowers, the Music/songs played & the Poem to be read out - it was incredible!

Tucked into the bag was this envelope with strict instructions to be placed in her casket with her.  The letters were written by my brother & I in 1968 (I was 8!) ... & posted to Mum who was in hospital at the time.  Mum's great Grandsons also made her a card each & these went in with our letters. 

Mum chose this Poem to be read at her Service & wanted pink & mauve flowers on her casket.  It made everything very simple to just follow out her instructions. 

 I think Mum would've been very pleased with her Farewell ... I think she may Not have been so pleased at all the cousins that came out of the woodwork, some she had not seen for well over 22 years!  I will never understand why people do this - yet they can't even pick up a phone & say Hello - how are you?!  I had to use my not-so-nice-voice a number of times to bring it all back to the small private service that Mum wanted.

Even though I had mentally prepared myself for Mum's passing for quite some time, I still cannot get my head around that she is no longer here.  I jump when my phone rings, thinking it may be the Resthome.  I hear some news & I think Oh I must tell Mum that.  Plus I have been hit by a wave of exhaustion (or maybe grief) since my return home again. 

The views from my brother's house where I stayed - the sea out the dining room window & out the other side, Mount Taranaki wearing his winter cloak!

Anyway dearest friends ... although I have a head full of fluff, I will endeavour to return to blogland again & catch up on all your posts.

Thank you sincerely, if you have stayed through this lengthy post - I wanted to write this Eulogy for myself more than anything but in all honesty, how do you cover 94 years - it would take 10 blog posts!  A dear friend sent me this little Verse last week & I thought how perfect.  💙

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead dear friends - remember to be kind to yourself & to each other ... & I hope you find those Glimmers in your week,

With much love & friendship to you all,

Julie & the Furry Three x0x0x0 🐱😸😺