Straight From The Heart ❤️
This past summer, I experienced the loss of my beloved mother. She was a truly remarkable woman, radiating beauty both inside and out. Her sharp intellect remained with her until the very end, and I miss her profoundly. My grief is deep, yet it coexists with an immense sense of gratitude for having had such an extraordinary mother, who was not just a parent but also a best friend, mentor, and ardent supporter of my endeavours and adventures throughout the years.
One of the most challenging tasks I’ve faced since her passing was the responsibility of going through her possessions in preparation for selling her home. I have often advised my clients to declutter, organize, and prepare their homes for sale, but when it came to doing it myself, I realized how labor-intensive and emotionally taxing the process can be.
Wearing multiple hats—acting as the executrix of her estate, fulfilling my role as her daughter, and navigating the responsibilities of real estate broker – I spent over six weeks meticulously examining every nook, cranny, drawer, cupboard, and corner of her 1350-square-foot condo, which she had called home for more than 35 years.
As I sorted through her vintage gloves from the 1950s, exquisite couture gowns from the 1970s, and enough “purple” shampoo and conditioner to open a beauty supply store, I stumbled upon both my parents’ wedding vows and their later divorce papers, tucked away in the same locked cabinet – a particularly emotional and tear-inducing moment.
Among the more peculiar discoveries were plastic bags and tissue paper ingeniously concealed in the least likely spots, an astounding surplus of dishwasher pods that could easily have lasted a lifetime despite her infrequent use of the dishwasher, and unopened bottles of alcohol that had once belonged to my father. It was clear she had brought them with her when downsizing and had hidden them in a faraway corner beneath the kitchen sink all those years ago. She surely wouldn’t have missed them, as she rarely drank even a glass of wine.
Her assortment of Chanel jackets, sweaters, and shoes was truly impressive, but sadly I didn’t inherit her dainty Flemish feet. She possessed a hat collection that could rival royalty, along with an overwhelming number of cat statues, stylized photos, embroidered pillows, and fine china figurines—more than even this feline-loving gal could handle.
She kept handwritten cards from her long-time partner, Octavio, whose calligraphy skills were as exceptional as his architectural talents. Among her cherished possessions were photographs of her beloved grandchildren and my brother, who resides across the country in British Columbia. Curiously, there weren’t many photos of me. Being as present in her life as I was, clearly I required no reminders!
Writing this has been somewhat cathartic for me, as nearly three months have passed since her departure. While I continue to miss her deeply, I no longer witness her struggling with debilitating mobility issues and other ailments, and this brings some relief.
My mother passed away just two days before her 96th birthday, and although a part of me wished she could have celebrated that milestone, I am certain that in her own mind, she felt old enough already. It is comforting for me to know that she lived a long, mostly happy life. Like all of us, she faced her share of heartaches, but her resilience and courage were truly admirable. She viewed life with a realistic perspective and navigated through challenging times with strength and courage. I am immensely proud of her and grateful that I have inherited many of her traits and characteristics, along with an upgraded designer wardrobe, which I now share with my niece in Vancouver.
I want to express my appreciation for providing this platform for me to share my thoughts. I also acknowledge that I am not alone in this experience, as many of us are faced with the challenge of dealing with aging parents. It is, as they say, an inevitable part of life.
