My Mother's House, Revisited

Dear Friends,
My Mom passed away on Sunday, November 24th, 2013
after a long battle with dementia.

I am re-posting this
because I think it's a nice way to remember her
and how beautiful she truly was.
And to help explain where I've been for the past month...

So here goes.



(Originally posted in July, 2012)

I am going home soon, to New Jersey, to visit my Mom.

I hope she still remembers me.

She has dementia now
and

her world has been made very small by her disease.  

But once upon a time,

it was full of style and color and whimsy.

It's what I try to remember about her.

Let me show you.

Mom's house, on an early fall day. 

Kind of understated and elegant on the outside.

 Come inside, though, and see what she was really into...

Mom's house was always a riot of color and fabric and collections.

 The turquoise floral print was her inspiration for the entire first floor.

She used Cranberry glass used as an accent everywhere.

She collected Edna Hibbel prints.

 I think she really liked the breezy, free and colorful style of her work.

And she displayed things with a whimsical touch.

She collected crystal and silver and anything else she liked.

The dining room was her showcase.

She painted it red way before it was trendy.

And yes, the hallway is pink...

I loved that crystal chandelier, but she loved the one in the dining room more. 

It was a family heirloom and she treasured it.

Interesting silver pieces - chocolate pots, teapots, serving pieces galore.

She liked a little drama.

 and a lot of stuff...

 Maybe a little too much stuff...

but always interesting and beautiful.

And in the kitchen, she felt even freer to display things she thought were "Kind of Fun"...

Ice cream cones and Scotties and clowns and lobsters and more.

We spent a lot of time at this table, plotting our adventures together.

I really miss going home to visit her here.

 This is my favorite picture of her.  

She was still well and stylish and I wanted that necklace sooo much.  

She took me to the shop where she got it, but alas, they had no more.  

Never mind.  I have it now.  

I wear it often, especially when I am going someplace I know she would have enjoyed.  

It's kind of like bringing her with me. 

I wish.

Rest in Peace, Mom.

I love you.