tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post7655286748638077338..comments2024-03-27T13:36:21.967-04:00Comments on .OPTIONS for a Better World: My Mother's Housekjhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-51789582153625917412009-11-11T21:30:31.252-05:002009-11-11T21:30:31.252-05:00So well written KJ. I had the rather miserable jo...So well written KJ. I had the rather miserable job of clearing out my mother and fathers' things when she died and he went into a home, so his requirements were few. <br /><br />My brother helped and we laughed at being 'vultures'! The photo albums are brilliant and we have tried to identify everyone where we can. I kept odd things, a bright blue glass eye make up pot being one of them.<br /><br />I hope you get it all done and can let out the house and have someone else share the happiness that was your home. xxxBThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16800917080090010655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-69190881738019917712009-11-11T01:57:23.238-05:002009-11-11T01:57:23.238-05:00lori, i write these posts now and i think, 'oh...lori, i write these posts now and i think, 'oh i hope lori will enjoy this'... xo<br /><br />mark! cut it out! <br /><br />shubhajit, thank you so much. i love the way you've said this. xo<br /><br />renee, tsup!kjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-12166316558915624912009-11-11T00:05:36.580-05:002009-11-11T00:05:36.580-05:00Wonderful post kj.
Beautiful really. You are lov...Wonderful post kj.<br /><br />Beautiful really. You are lovely and so are all of those you love.<br /><br />Renee xoxoReneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11785932958464359112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-74991282697964562472009-11-10T07:33:43.864-05:002009-11-10T07:33:43.864-05:00Emotional and honest. It is a flow of your emotion...Emotional and honest. It is a flow of your emotion that binds all your words. Well done.SHUBHAJIThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07922572955753398337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-50812882885376456972009-11-10T07:21:26.802-05:002009-11-10T07:21:26.802-05:00I will simply leave and pray the breeze wipe out a...I will simply leave and pray the breeze wipe out any tracks of my passing. I have emptied too many houses to find reward in it anymore.the walking manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10058913927297370740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-60603626450303726942009-11-09T22:58:54.292-05:002009-11-09T22:58:54.292-05:00Oh kj, how beautiful and moving and completely lov...Oh kj, how beautiful and moving and completely lovely. i was picturing all the people and conversations, the thoughts that must have been going through your head. After all that sorting and placing memories on all those items, i hope you slept well that night. And dreamed beautiful dreams.Lori annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02860428306713379828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-71642175458594529432009-11-09T22:47:47.331-05:002009-11-09T22:47:47.331-05:00thank you, twinkliest twin.
cs, it was both hard ...thank you, twinkliest twin.<br /><br />cs, it was both hard and dear. it really did help that i knew i could take special things to show my mom. <br /><br />margaret, i hadn't thought of it that way, that the people who came by were part of that house. thank you for a very lovely thought. xo<br /><br />annie, it was also one of those things that had been put off for so long that it felt great to be tackling it. xokjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-24522125212968177962009-11-09T22:35:56.817-05:002009-11-09T22:35:56.817-05:00My heart goes with you, it can't be an easy th...My heart goes with you, it can't be an easy thing to have to do. Glad there was some fun mixed in. xoxoAnniehttp://blissful-bohemian.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-88173462267024304132009-11-09T21:14:27.613-05:002009-11-09T21:14:27.613-05:00Hi kj~ You're doing this in the loveliest way...Hi kj~ You're doing this in the loveliest way it could be done; everyone who shared part of the vibrant life there came by. You found wonderful keepskes and put out nonessentials. And you'll go to your Mom's today and share a lifetime of memories and mementos. Some sad, some happy things.Margaret Pangerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09995968579194433270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-5919479602957024552009-11-09T19:43:17.908-05:002009-11-09T19:43:17.908-05:00Sounds like an emotionaly intense task. I remmebe...Sounds like an emotionaly intense task. I remmeber the bitterweetness several years ago of sorting through everything in my grandmother's house after she died. I knew that house as well as my own.secret agent womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03763879283931347382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-77904477762673791562009-11-09T18:24:48.121-05:002009-11-09T18:24:48.121-05:00I love knowing you, too, dear twinklier twin!
:0)I love knowing you, too, dear twinklier twin!<br />:0)angela recadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01171018304392191669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-57962855684622728462009-11-09T17:27:50.210-05:002009-11-09T17:27:50.210-05:00jessie, jessie, you were here. not a day goes by t...jessie, jessie, you were here. not a day goes by that i don't think of you and imagine a brush in your hand and soul in your heart. think ptown. xoxo<br /><br />just like life, firebyrd, right? xoxo<br /><br />suki, yes, that is lucky. it allows time to process, to let the memories linger...<br /><br />ah stacey, yes she does have a good mac and cheese recipe, nicely browned and crusted on the top. BUT you and i will both have to wait until i get back to her house. i left her two recipe boxes on the kitchen table, trip # 2. <br />much love back.kjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-13374654046863995472009-11-09T15:50:48.180-05:002009-11-09T15:50:48.180-05:00KJ, this was touching. YOu are blessed with so mu...KJ, this was touching. YOu are blessed with so much love. You are taking great care of your mom and yes, doing this when she is still alive is a blessing.<br /><br />does your mom have a good mac and cheese recipe? <br /><br />much loveStacey J. Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059617724860253448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-24028008806601421892009-11-09T14:22:35.697-05:002009-11-09T14:22:35.697-05:00a beautiful post. A rite of passage we all go thr...a beautiful post. A rite of passage we all go through in one way or another. You are lucky you can take your time, really sort through things carefully. Blessings, sukisukipoethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09351851210507048174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-70446719127536282432009-11-09T13:47:17.647-05:002009-11-09T13:47:17.647-05:00Now I understand your comment on mine.
lovely post...Now I understand your comment on mine.<br />lovely post, mixture of sadness and happieness.<br />xxFire Byrdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05477692359400671374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-82082850477758736472009-11-09T11:03:22.460-05:002009-11-09T11:03:22.460-05:00love to you, dear kj. this post contains so much....love to you, dear kj. this post contains so much.Jessiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10377814945121401007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-37824392476700602392009-11-09T10:39:40.444-05:002009-11-09T10:39:40.444-05:00linda, you are fast growing on my affection. you r...linda, you are fast growing on my affection. you read my 06 posts?! ohmygod, you are going to see the tracectory of my deep love and deep shaky heart. get ready, girl! i'm glad you have that teacup, i can feel how warm your hand is around it...<br /><br />twinkly twin, wow, did you say this elequently. yes, it's gone in a flash and yet it all means something to those we love and leave behind. i look at my mother's green eyes now--they are so alive and true--and i know i will never forget them. angela, i love knowing you.... xoxo<br /><br />caroline, one of these days i am coming to your blog and starting at the very beginning! i love that wanderlust about you. i would love to meet you someday!! xoxokjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-62603165177011558162009-11-09T10:00:40.804-05:002009-11-09T10:00:40.804-05:00Kj - beautiful post which I read with a tear in my...Kj - beautiful post which I read with a tear in my eye! Gosh, when I saw those tea cups and Hummel figures that brought back memories of sorting out my Mother's house - she lived there only 20 years but could never throw anything away - unlike me, I move every four years or so and always throw out/give away masses of stuff each time (I have still have way too much though)! You are so blessed to have your mother and her beautiful smile still! P.S. Sorry to miss you on Blogland Lane - looks like you enjoyed the chat over the fence!Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12851668813182425335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-78268521963593769122009-11-09T09:12:11.933-05:002009-11-09T09:12:11.933-05:00Oh, dear kj,
this post takes my breath away. Isn&...Oh, dear kj,<br />this post takes my breath away. Isn't it something, we spend our lives accumulating memories and stuff, and then in the blink of an eye (it seems like the blink of an eye), it's time to gather and share the memories - and disperse the stuff.<br /><br />Your mom is lucky to have such a loving, caring daughter.<br /><br />Love you, dear twin,<br />Hugs,<br />Angelaangela recadahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01171018304392191669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-62975247519070460142009-11-09T09:10:37.956-05:002009-11-09T09:10:37.956-05:00How is it a 'thing' holds such sentiment? ...How is it a 'thing' holds such sentiment? Those pieces of a life that were touched and used and loved are so cherished. I drink tea every evening from one of the teacups in my mother's and my grandmother's collection. It feels warm and safe and familiar. A way of continuing. Like your Christmas ornaments. (I just finished the 2006 posts.) I know one absolutely true thing about you. You're a keeper.<br />Huge hugs to you, kj.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03201759918154593244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-41854646570431387782009-11-09T08:21:54.021-05:002009-11-09T08:21:54.021-05:00marianne, you have certainly been through this. th...marianne, you have certainly been through this. that must have been extra hard. i'm kind of glad we waited almost two years before starting to dismantle my parent's house. you are a gem for writing this comment, as always marianne. xxoxo<br /><br />hello kim, welcome and thank you for such a thoughtful comment. that you singled out my mother's smile made me particularly happy.<br />i'll be over to visit you soon.<br />xokjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-60285546776377870752009-11-09T02:31:46.601-05:002009-11-09T02:31:46.601-05:00Very much enjoyed this. I am imagining your mother...Very much enjoyed this. I am imagining your mother's wide smile and you smiling back. Such a treasure, the relationship and bond that is our first in life and that grows through all the seasons and stages of our lives. Thank you for putting in writing the bittersweet passage of helping close down the family home so full of years of life and caring for our mothers in new settings. You captured it beautifully.<br />-KimKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03687351187791689224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-79737263887325035012009-11-09T02:16:40.355-05:002009-11-09T02:16:40.355-05:00What a moving post KJ!
I was reading this with tea...What a moving post KJ!<br />I was reading this with tears in my eyes.......<br />Brings back so many feelings since I went through the same process last year when my parents moved from their appartment to the opposite side of the street. Everything went through our hands there. <br />Once moved my Mom came home after 7 months rehab after her stroke. They enjoyed their new home for only 5 months when my Dad died in January.<br />Mom couldn't stay there alone so we moved her gain to a home.<br />Again we had to clear their house and reduced all they had into one room.<br />Your whole past passes through your hands and minds then.......<br />This is sad and beautiful at the same time KJ. Good your Mom is near you and she agrees. I hope she lives many more years and will give you her smile daily.<br /><br />love <br />>M<mariannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09285970503295829713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-35123067500977083162009-11-08T22:14:21.341-05:002009-11-08T22:14:21.341-05:00melissa, i'm glad she's nearby too. today ...melissa, i'm glad she's nearby too. today i took her a photo album consisting of all her family and friends only throughout her life--no kids or grandkids. she was so excited and she remembered almost everyone. it was very touching. xoxo<br /><br />lo, being known is so wonderful. i love that you know me.... xoxo<br /><br />baino, you are so right! sorting, keeping, chucking--it's all so hard! i see that snowbrush asked why we had 25 bags of garbage. ha! we could have easily had 50. hey, i miss hearing from you! i'll write soon. xoxo<br /><br />marion, thanks for all your wise words. so you've been there...you know. :)<br /><br />milady, oh god, milady, that too is so true! my poor little heart's been all over the place in search of home, and i don't have the heart to tell it to stop looking...<br /><br />mim, you are a special friend....<br /><br />oh snow, we did our best. there were 50 years of things that simply could not and should not have been saved. xoxokjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15122196887043345981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22678097.post-5319654092017115182009-11-08T20:10:02.690-05:002009-11-08T20:10:02.690-05:00Been there, done that, and I know it's hard.
...Been there, done that, and I know it's hard. <br /><br />What's with the 25 garbage bags? Was it all in such bad shape that nothing could be used?Snowbrushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436087215476479042noreply@blogger.com