Wednesday 15 September 2010

Kind of still life



I've been working in the room that was my Mum's sitting room this week. The others have used it much more in the four months since she died but I do find it a bit odd in there. It was so much her room... it feels really odd without her in it.

Above you can see it on the day before her funeral in May. I put photos out for folks to look at... and some of the flowers that came too obviously. During the six years that she lived here she loved to sit in that room admiring her garden (she was Head Gardener, had the waistcoat to prove it), reading, chatting on the phone, writing letters, watching the birds (witness the binoculars), watching TV (murder dramas, tennis, Strictly Come Dancing and all), feeding the dog crisps and apple or just playing with Heather.

Not even really sure why I'm posting this picture. But here it is.

x

18 comments:

Niamh B said...

It looks like a really cosy place to sit, especially in that light.

Rachel Fox said...

She was very comfy in there. We did all use it (especially the grand-daughter...endlessly dressing Mum in tiaras and such like) but it was very much Grandma's room. Our sitting room is/was two rooms away - that way we weren't deafened by her Midsomer Murders at full volume!

Jean said...

What a nice room and lovely place to sit, with all those windows and with loving family around.

Rachel Fox said...

Thanks Jean. I've had a couple of months off from thinking about it all - school summer holidays, I suppose (I think I didn't want it to be the summer Mummy cried all the time!). Having a couple of days back in the crying zone though this week.
x

The Bug said...

What a beautiful room to watch the world from! (Or from which to watch... darn prepositions). I'm glad she had such a lovely place and a grandaughter to give her tiaras.

I wrote about my mom yesterday - she's been gone 5 1/2 years & she still invades my dreams all the time. It's not always unpleasant :) But I've determined that when it's someone that close to us grief is a lurker & can pop out at the most inconvenient times. I move through it and then settle down again. Wishing you the same.

Marion McCready said...

Hard to believe it was only four months ago, think I'm losing perspective of time here! Such a peaceful, homely room. x

Rachel Fox said...

Maybe that's one reason I've posted it, Marion, to mark the passing of time or something. And I have to say that room wasn't usually as clean and tidy as it is in the pic...

Yes, Bug, the tiaras..we have a lovely photo of Mum dressed up in tiaras and garlands pretending to eat wedding cake or some such! She would do pretty much whatever the girl asked her to.

x

The Weaver of Grass said...

You are posting it Rachel as a natural part of the grieving process - this is the room where your mum was happy - where you all made her happy - now you are beginning to be able to look at it and remember with pleasure.

Rachel Fox said...

Kind of painful this pleasure! But I know what you mean.
x

Totalfeckineejit said...

It's all glass!Such a beautiful, bright happy room, no wonder she loved it!

Rachel Fox said...

She kept it very hot - winter and summer!

I've been emptying the desk this week. So many photos, letters, bits and pieces...

x

Eryl said...

How lovely to be a granny and have a room like that in which your granddaughter can dress you up in tiaras.

Kudos to you for finally being able to enter it.

Rachel Fox said...

I've been going back in gradually. It is a lovely room - shame to waste it...
x

Rachel Fenton said...

It is still a very full room for all it's emptyness. It has a lovely atmosphere with the light and the colours and lovely furniture. Big hugs x

Rachel Fox said...

Hugs welcomed this week! And returned.
x

Rachel Fox said...

And the furniture is a mix - some was in this house when we moved in, some Mum took with her everywhere (that desk...she liked to feel like a lady of letters!). We've had those little tables since the first house after my Dad died I think (1974!).
x

Titus said...

Of course, I only ever saw the room with her in it, and remember the vibrant crossword session.
I'm glad you posted it.

Rachel Fox said...

Yes, me too. Glad you met her - it's nice to have some folk on here who can put a person to the name and memories.
x