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Bereavement

Remembering my Mum

(85 Posts)
ferry23 Fri 11-Apr-25 19:45:56

My lovely Mum passed away 20 years ago today. I can hardly believe I haven't seen her in 20 years - I barely ever went more than 20 days without seeing her, even when we moved a 2 hour drive away.

I remember so vividly having to hold the Sunday paper horizontally over her so she could see the pictures of Charles and Camilla's wedding as she was bedridden. I knew she must be bad when she said she didn't watch it on TV. The next morning she was gone.

Happy, happy memories. She was the most wonderful Mother, (along with my Dad, the best ever Father) and I loved her dearly (still do) .

I'm not really a believer but a little part of me hopes she's somewhere, waiting for me.

kittylester Sat 19-Apr-25 20:35:21

I am so sad for those of you who miss your loving mums. I hope my children feel the same.

Sadly, my mum could never be described as loving.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Sat 19-Apr-25 20:26:09

💐 for you today Blossom5. x

HowVeryDareYou2 Sat 19-Apr-25 20:10:03

My lovely mum died 30 years ago, aged 72. I was 36 then. Dad died a few years later, so I didn't have either parent by the time I was 40. I still miss them, particularly my mum.

Primrose53 Sat 19-Apr-25 19:48:57

CanadianGran

I find all of these posts touching. I also miss my mum who died 28years ago in May. We had a troubled relationship as I grew into a teen and adult, but she was a loving mother while I was a child. I wish I had the same understanding of her difficulties while I was younger, although I know I couldn't change things.

My dad was suffered with MS from when I was around 12 and he died when I was 20. Mum slowly sunk into depression and alcoholism during this time, although I wasn't aware. To me she was distant and always going to bed early and leaving us kids to manage on our own, then raging when we did something she didn't agree with.

But my early years were idyllic really. A stay at home mum, dad in a good job and all the benefits of middle/working class in the 60's and early 70's. Memories of coming home from school to smelling stews, pies etc., and going for Sunday drives as a family. We were all so happy then, but illness broke our family. Luckily I still have very good relationships with my siblings, and carry the fond memories of our early life.

There were more good years than bad then. Think positive. ❤️

CanadianGran Sat 19-Apr-25 19:39:13

I find all of these posts touching. I also miss my mum who died 28years ago in May. We had a troubled relationship as I grew into a teen and adult, but she was a loving mother while I was a child. I wish I had the same understanding of her difficulties while I was younger, although I know I couldn't change things.

My dad was suffered with MS from when I was around 12 and he died when I was 20. Mum slowly sunk into depression and alcoholism during this time, although I wasn't aware. To me she was distant and always going to bed early and leaving us kids to manage on our own, then raging when we did something she didn't agree with.

But my early years were idyllic really. A stay at home mum, dad in a good job and all the benefits of middle/working class in the 60's and early 70's. Memories of coming home from school to smelling stews, pies etc., and going for Sunday drives as a family. We were all so happy then, but illness broke our family. Luckily I still have very good relationships with my siblings, and carry the fond memories of our early life.

Elusivebutterfly Sat 19-Apr-25 19:28:08

It's 45 years tomorrow since my mother died. I feel sad that my DC never knew her and they missed out on what would have been a loving relationship.

jojogogo Sat 19-Apr-25 19:20:36

Big love and massive hug! 🤗 Me too. I was rather a daddies girl. I lost my wonderful Polish dad 7 years ago. They were a loving couple and brilliant parents. I feel blessed. There were 6 children . Dad worked all hours. I’m who I am today thanks to the love and sacrifices they made .

Franski Sat 19-Apr-25 18:56:02

Very precious to read memories of your loved ones.
Blossom5 special love and comfort..so very sorry for such an acute loss of a beloved and irreplaceable son xx
Love to you all.

LizzieGee Sat 19-Apr-25 18:25:06

Wow what an amazing thread - looks like we all needed to share our mums today ! My lovely mum died just 2 months ago - exactly 10 years after the love of her life , my Fab Dad . I so hope they are together - I’m on hols just now in Mallorca - a place they loved and suggested my DH and I visit 30 years ago . We’ve been coming ever since - so I’m sure they’re probably with me here today somehow . Have a lovely Easter all you lovely grans - I have so enjoyed reading your posts this evening smile

4allweknow Sat 19-Apr-25 18:01:57

Mother died in 1985, Dad 1981 so so long ago. Today marks day Daughter died 6 years ago Husband 3 years ago. I do not look forward to April each year even when remembering the good times with them all.

Mollygo Sat 19-Apr-25 17:45:15

Sorry Cookie💐
My Mum died just before Covid. I was always glad she didn’t have to suffer that.
We’d done a walk along a local pool the day before she was taken into hospital. Thank heavens for phone cameras.
My sisters and I celebrate her birthday on FaceTime every year.

Foxyferret Sat 19-Apr-25 17:40:59

This is my mum and best friend, she died just 2 years ago age 97. I miss her every day, she was lovely, caring and had a great sense of humour. I still have moments when I shed a tear but I know we will meet again. My heart goes out to you ferry23 and all on this thread who are grieving.💐

Cyclone Sat 19-Apr-25 17:18:58

I retired in 2013 to look after my Mum full time, she was 96 , she died the very next day 30th March. My brother died on 31st March 2016. They both had dementia and were very close. I felt like she was setting me free.

Shelflife Sat 19-Apr-25 17:17:42

Oh WelshPoppy, I feel your sadness! My wonderful Mum died 21 years ago - I miss her every day. She was emotionally intelligent, caring , sensible and just amazing! I miss my Dad too who died way back in 76!
Mum was stoical after his death but gave an amazing example I will try to follow if I find myself in that situation. How lucky are we who have had such wonderful parents - Mum in particular! Not everyone is so fortunate. Thank you ferry for starting this thread.

crazyH Sat 19-Apr-25 17:15:46

So sorry Cookie flowers

Mamma66 Sat 19-Apr-25 17:08:52

My wonderful Mother died almost 13 years ago, my lovely Dad 4 years ago and I lost my beloved older brother unexpectedly in February. I miss them all, but for those who say they miss talking to their loved ones, why stop? I still talk to Mum and Dad and no doubt will talk to my brother once the rawness of the grief has calmed. It does help, talk to your loved ones, hopefully they know x

Trisha99 Sat 19-Apr-25 17:03:58

WelshPoppy

My mum died 3 days before my 15th birthday, my dad 3 months after my 21st. I am an only child and still miss them every day. I'm now 67.

I truly empathise with you WelshPoppy; my mother died when I was 13, my father had died 8 years earlier when I was 5. I too am 67, although I do have one sibling, a brother, we’re in touch Christmas and birthdays.
I can’t say I miss my parents as I didn’t know them as people, but I miss the idea of them- it’s very hard to articulate.
Take care x

Sallyforth Sat 19-Apr-25 16:55:55

Lauren59 Just start writing and it will all come flooding back. My mother died when my sister was 16, on my 21st birthday.

I'm 82 and once I started the memories just flooded into my mind.

Redcar Sat 19-Apr-25 16:52:34

cookie so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family.

Sallyforth Sat 19-Apr-25 16:48:58

rowyn flowers Sorry to read about your relationship with your mother. It's a powerful reminder of how our behaviour impacts our children's lives.

Sallyforth Sat 19-Apr-25 16:34:09

Cookie thinking of you. flowers

ferry23 Sat 19-Apr-25 16:33:22

cookiemonster66

My mum died two days ago COPD and dementia took its toll. I’m now in that grief daze where you are running on adrenaline and shock trying to organise everything

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Don't forget there are lots of us here who will listen to you if and when you want to unload, or having a bad day.

My thoughts are with you.
flowers

Primrose53 Sat 19-Apr-25 16:31:10

Lauren59

Sallyforth

Write the memories down for your children and grandchildren.

My nephew asked me to write about our childhood when my sister died three weeks ago. It was painful and I wept buckets. I wrote about what I remember about her birth, about her love of cats, and the things we got up to, what made us giggle. About what Christmas and New Year were like in our home; our favourite pastimes, and the books we loved, the time a boy threw her school bag from the bus window, just what came into my head and I wrote it all down. Five pages!

But the tears were tears of love for the incredible woman who was their mother and my 'little' sister. Your mothers were incredible too.

Just do it is my advice.

This is such good advice. I wish I could still remember the details of stories my mother and grandmother told me about their childhoods. They were born in 1918 and 1893, so it would be quite interesting to read. Time passes by so quickly – mom died in 2006 and grandmother in 1980.

I made notes of little stories Mum told me when she was first diagnosed with dementia. I then typed them up in a large font and put them in a folder which she kept by her bed.

There were tales of playing barefoot in rural Ireland in the summer with her seven siblings, of her father mending all their shoes in winter by the light of oil lamps, of her mother making beautiful dresses for people, of their pets, of their village school opposite their home and their mother standing at the landing window making sure they all went in safely.

As the dementia worsened she found great comfort in having her memories read to her by myself or the staff and they told me those pages were worth their weight in gold as when Mum got upset or tearful they just read to her and she calmed down and was her cheerful self again.

Primrose53 Sat 19-Apr-25 16:21:07

My Mum died a few days before Christmas 2020 when we were in lockdown. She was nearly 97 and spent her last couple of years in a great care home where they all loved her. It became my second home as I was there every other day for many hours and prior to lockdown I took her out in the wheelchair or in my car.

She was very special and very kind to everyone. If a new baby was born in the village they received something hand knitted from her. Anybody poorly would get a bunch of flowers or some fresh scones. Widowers would get hand knitted socks or sausage rolls. If you visited us, you would not get out of our house until you had enjoyed a cup of tea in the best china and either homemade cake, scone or mince pie.

Mum never had much money but she was marvellous with her hands so could always conjure up a small gift for neighbours and friends.

Something happens and I go to ring her and realise she is no longer with us. I lose something in the house or garden and talk to her photo and ask St Anthony to guide me to it and it always works.

Lauren59 Sat 19-Apr-25 16:10:02

Sallyforth

Write the memories down for your children and grandchildren.

My nephew asked me to write about our childhood when my sister died three weeks ago. It was painful and I wept buckets. I wrote about what I remember about her birth, about her love of cats, and the things we got up to, what made us giggle. About what Christmas and New Year were like in our home; our favourite pastimes, and the books we loved, the time a boy threw her school bag from the bus window, just what came into my head and I wrote it all down. Five pages!

But the tears were tears of love for the incredible woman who was their mother and my 'little' sister. Your mothers were incredible too.

Just do it is my advice.

This is such good advice. I wish I could still remember the details of stories my mother and grandmother told me about their childhoods. They were born in 1918 and 1893, so it would be quite interesting to read. Time passes by so quickly – mom died in 2006 and grandmother in 1980.