I'm thinking of you, Mum.

Happy Mother's Day Mum. I miss you & love you very much.

Picking up the pieces

A week of unpacking & packing has left me and my aunts exhausted. I've had the bittersweet opportunity to go through all my mother's things - mind you, she has a lot of things. My mother was a sentimental woman, who kept everything she felt reluctant to part with. This applied particularly to her clothes & accessories.

My mother was an extremely fashionable woman with a walk-in closet that overflowed into guest rooms and mystery miscellaneous storage places which till this day I'm sure we have yet to uncover. She was blessed with a fabulous sense of style and taste and as I go throw my mum's beautiful wardrobe, I feel blessed to keep many of the pieces that remind me of her. From clothes to shoes & handbags, accessories & jewelry, my mum spared no expense to her passion to fashion. I've been fortunate enough to keep some pieces which I may never be able to afford.

Going through my mother's things was an emotional but fun experience. I found clothes and accessories from the 70s and 80s, which we laughed about. Items that only my mum could pull off because if we even tried, we'd look like clowns. I found pieces which I'd hadn't seen in years since my childhood and others which I've never seen in my lifetime which she still kept. It made me miss her more but also comforted me, in knowing that she's with me every time I wear something of hers. I found things which have made its back way full circle in the fashion cycle: pleated pants anyone?

It's a blessing to me to have had to chance to do this with my aunts. I think she was watching from above and laughing along with us. I miss you Mum. You had way too many things but so many have since benefitted from them. I love you.

Fun, Laughter, Peace & Joy

There probably isn’t a person in this room who wasn’t touched by my mother’s incredibly infectious spirit. My mum was a spontaneous and passionate person, who filled our lives and the lives of those around her with a constant supply of fun, laughter, peace & joy.

That used to be a phrase I shared with her growing up. Whenever she inquired about my intentions for doing things – I’d always respond to her in a sarcastic, teen-angst fashion, the words “for fun, laughter, peace & joy”. She soon picked up on my adolescent humour and would retort those words back to me whenever I asked her the same type of inquiring questions. She always knew how to give a great comeback.

My mum had a never-ending supply of energy and ideas. She was always quick on feet and had an imagination that could fill libraries of storybooks. Her stories and quirky analogies and ideas have never ceased to entertain my Dad, my brother and myself. Growing up with mum was never a dull moment and she made childhood a fun and creative time, where the imagination was always encouraged to run wild. I credit all my creativity and passion for fashion and art to her. I am living her dream and I am proud to do so. I can only hope that she is proud of me and that I am doing a good job as she would have if she were given the opportunities I have been so blessed with.

My mum brought life to our family – she gave my brother & I life, she’s the love of my father’s life and she’s always the life of the party amongst her friends & loved ones. Everyone delighted in her as much as she delighted in them and I’ve seen so many of my mum’s friends and family who have been touched by her courage and strength. She fought a good fight.

Little did she realize that those 4 words: Fun, Laughter, Peace & Joy were the treasured elements which she brought into our family and shared with so many of her loved ones and friends. Fun, laughter, peace and joy followed her wherever she went – from Singapore all the way to Vancouver and along with that she boundless energy and passion for life, love and living to the fullest. And now, she’s going Home, where Fun, Laughter, Peace and Joy will follow her all the days of her eternal life where we will all meet again.

Mum, you are home. We will miss you so much. We will always love you.

Consumed by Love

A dear friend of mine sent me this poem by Mary Frye to mourn a loss we both share:

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

Thanks Jenn. I believe they're having tea & cupcakes up there, just like we do!

Till we meet again

We will miss you mum.