Time goes so quickly when you let it; standing back and letting the moments soak into your soul will leave you with memories to cherish and a vivid reminiscence of happy occasions. I will always remember a lady telling me many years ago just a few days before my first wedding, to remember to take a step back and enjoy the moment. Her wedding day went too fast and she needed the guests' photographs to remember the smaller details, like what her best friend was wearing, the delight on the guests' faces when they first admired her dress, the love in her new husband's eyes as he recited his vows. My first wedding was a beautiful day even though it was a marriage not to last, and my second wedding was equally as beautiful in its own right. Something I will never forget about my wedding to The Farmer is the way he cried when he saw me walk towards him on my brother's arm. He was completely overwhelmed, whilst I stayed composed, making sure I remembered that look of total adoration for the rest of my life.
Apart from The Farmer and Amy of course, another person who loves me unconditionally is my mum. She has just spent a week at the farm with us, a week that has passed far too quickly. I remember when their car drew up in the driveway and I saw her smiling face peer round the corner of the house. I recall the huge bag of food she carried in and placed on the kitchen table, containing food I knew we'd never eat. I think about her electric toothbrush and toiletries littered along the bathroom windowsill, and her comb sat on the dressing table. On Monday night I had one last look around the guest room to see it filled with her belongings, a pair of slippers neatly tucked away under a chair; I noticed one of the wardrobe doors ajar because she'd filled it with her clothes; a small chintz alarm clock on her side of the bed, ticking away with no remorse.
Now the house is filled with her scent, the beautiful aroma of Chanel, wafting through the east wing, lingering on the bedding I have yet to wash and the dressing gown she leaves hung up behind the door. I'll leave the bed for as long as possible before I strip it, in order to get the most out of her visit. The unconditional affection she has for me has taught me the value of motherhood, and it is her that I thank as I watch Amy and wonder how my daughter will remember me.
Oh this is so lovely. I miss my mum so much. Living so far away is making me really sad, especially recently. If only I lived down the road from her. That would be my biggest wish right now. Lots of hugs to you. It really is hard.
ReplyDeleteI can remember going into the wardrobe after my grandmohter had been to stay when I was very young - inhaling the smell of her perfume on a coat she'd left behind. ONe of those memories that linger forever. Nice post CJ we don't use our senses enough.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Yes, we are always too much in a rush to apreciate things. I like that poem "what is this world if full of care we have no time to stand and stare..."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. I still remember the scent of my Grandma, I have some of her belongings and get so much comfort from the familiar smell even now over a year after she has passed away. Is amazing how a scent can trigger a beautiful memory xxxxx
ReplyDeleteSuch a touching post. It is lovely to be so close to family. My mum is far away and I am lucky if I get to see her once a year...thank goodness for Skype!
ReplyDeletesmiles...i cried when T started coming down the aisle as well....nice too on the gentle reminiscence
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully sweet tribute to her!!
ReplyDeleteLoved this!
hughugs
So beautiful! Glad you got to spend time with your mother. Hugs to you <3
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. My mum is the same always bringing me food and always smelling the same. Thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteLovely, moving post. I do hope your Mum reads it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazingly well written, touching post. Time really does move so fast sometimes, it's good to take a step back every now and again
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteThose are the moments to hold to our hearts, clutching them and relishing the memory and beauty of it. For that is what helps us to get through the touch times that inevitably come along as part of life's journey.
I love that you won't strip the bed until you have to. When my Mum passed away, I held onto some of her clothes for a long time, and used to bury my head in them just to get the scent of her.
Scent is the most powerful way to evoke memories. The only scent that has remained of my Mum is in her folder of knitting patterns, and when I open that folder, 25 years on, I am instantly transported to when she was still with us.
Might just go and open it now, for a little "fix" of her!
What a lovely description of unconditional love. I'm so glad you enjoyed both your wedding days. My husband and I had our 37th Wedding Anniversary two days ago and we were recalling how the day went in a blur. We were so hungry at the end of the day because we had a buffet and people kept coming up to congratulate us so we didn't like to eat.
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