Keeping busy

Yesterday, I was about as much use as a chocolate teapot, but I have been a little bit more alert today, so have managed four loads of washing, a food shop and some general tidying and cleaning. It's good to keep busy at times like this.
There's no change with Mum so we are hoping that she will now be moved to a quiet place for the final days of her life. Mr D and I will go tomorrow and check where she is. Presently, she is still on a busy ward and I'm quite sure she will still be aware of the noise and general coming as and goings that are part of hospital life, but that's not what you'd want to be surrounded by in your last moments is it? I find it stressful and I'm fit and well! Hopefully they'll find her a quieter spot very soon.

On a more positive note, I had some great finds at Mums which I have brought back. They will definitely be used and I will think of her as I do:-

Mum's tin of seeds which I will sort through and use.

37 jam jars with lids! These will be extremely useful. I often give my jams, marmelades and chutneys away as gifts and then of course don't get the jars back. As I never buy jam, I don't then restock my supplies either. Thanks Mum x 

Good job I have the jars because,  as you could tell from the photo of the garden yesterday, Mum loved growing her own fruit, veg and flowers. Her chest freezer was chock full of tomatoes, gooseberries, damsons and raspberries. I filled two huge freezer bags with them and will bring the last lot back this weekend. I absolutely know that she would be VERY pleased to think of me preserving her own grown produce and each time we then eat some, I will have fond memories of her in the garden :)

Anyone who knows me, will know that my Mum has always been quite a challenging character and that it hasn't always been easy living with her, supporting her, caring for her and fulfilling her expectations and wishes especially in the last ten years since my father's death. HOWEVER, she's my Mum and she has also been loving, funny, generous and provided an endless supply of amusing stories for dinner parties!! I will miss her very much, but know also that part of her (hopefully the less challenging part!) lives on in me and the way I live my life.

I'd like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact me with good wishes and kind words. I really appreciate all of your thoughts and sentiments xx