Day 126: Mum's Victoria Spring

I saved one last pair of Mum's earrings to wear today to mark her birthday. She would have been 74 today. These are a pair of Victoria Spring studs we bought her as a birthday gift in the early 1990s. I distinctly remember going to the Oxford Street store to buy them, then travelling to Armidale to be with Mum on her special day. She always made such a fuss of our birthdays it was lovely to do the same with her when we could. I'm missing her terribly today, as I know are Dad my siblings and her sisters.





As I've noted before, peonies were Mum's favourite flowers and since Mum died have become an important symbol linking us to her. They have a short season -  late October /early November - so it was remarkable to see last night the stunning big peony blooms Geeta was able to buy this weekend, and to see Mum's sister Suzie post on FB today pictures of her local florist's window full of peonies.






I realise that this blog has turned into something of a elegy for Mum. It wasn't my intention, but writing about her often through the earrings she gave me has kept her very close. I now see the gift of these earrings as having even more significance than I could have imagined. They've bought me a sense of strength and protection when I've needed it most, and lots joy reflecting on being raised and cared for by such a loving and generous mother. Her energy was remarkable - no wonder she looks as thin as a rake on our trip to Cairns in 1975 - and her love of life and her family was her gift.





I've enjoyed trawling through the photos and reminiscing about special times with Mum, including our wonderful trip to Italy and France together in 1992 - her first trip to Europe- where we caught up with Cazy in Avignon before heading to Paris. This photo was taken in Paris after a big day of shopping and before we headed out for a lovely dinner near Bastille. It's a golden shot of Mum in every sense.










On Day 126 I woke with a little more energy than I have for awhile, though the swelling and puffiness is worse than ever. I'm the epitome of Michelin woman. It's a very weird feeling carrying around so much fluid. We had a lovely distraction this morning with a visit from dear friends Vicky and David for morning tea. It was great to catch up on all their news. Robbie and I kept on with a clean up of Angus' room this afternoon and made some headway. I hope a late afternoon walk with Robbie and Molly will help get the fluid moving.

I've only got a couple more days to go with the blog, my earring collection is almost done...I will miss writing my daily dispatch. I'm thinking of writing a weekly update to until the end of the treatment to help me stay in touch with so many wonderful family members and friends who are scattered across the country and the world. I do have a few neckalces...