Mum's 70th
Yesterday was Mum's 70th birthday. I went to the cemetery with my husband and put a bunch of her favourite flowers (freesias) on her grave. I did very little the rest of the day, except to post a virtual candle on the memorial website, but my husband and I went out to dinner in the evening.
I always knew that this would be a difficult milestone. Not only is it the first of her birthdays since she passed away but her 70th was something that she was aiming for throughout her last illness. She had also got some tickets for the Olympics which were to be a 70th birthday present for her and she was really looking forward to going.
It is very difficult for me to think that she will never get to do the things that she was hoping to do. Mum was one of the most determined people I have ever known. When she was told that she would not be able to do something, she didn't just give in and accept it. She set herself the challenge of achieving her aims and she usually succeeded.
This is why it has been so hard even to think about her 70th birthday, or the upcoming Olympics. It seems so awful that she didn't get to reach this last goal. I know I have to make myself face the facts but it damn well hurts and I don't like that. But it's healthier than the alternative, so I'm working on it.
I always knew that this would be a difficult milestone. Not only is it the first of her birthdays since she passed away but her 70th was something that she was aiming for throughout her last illness. She had also got some tickets for the Olympics which were to be a 70th birthday present for her and she was really looking forward to going.
It is very difficult for me to think that she will never get to do the things that she was hoping to do. Mum was one of the most determined people I have ever known. When she was told that she would not be able to do something, she didn't just give in and accept it. She set herself the challenge of achieving her aims and she usually succeeded.
This is why it has been so hard even to think about her 70th birthday, or the upcoming Olympics. It seems so awful that she didn't get to reach this last goal. I know I have to make myself face the facts but it damn well hurts and I don't like that. But it's healthier than the alternative, so I'm working on it.