Mom's Craft Cabinet

Starting to work on going through Mom's things. This time we opened all the cabinets and drawers to assess how much stuff she left behind. Mom turned Dad's cabinet into a craft cabinet. I knew she did this a long time ago. That's where she stored the bead trays I left with her. 

I was in for a surprise today because she filled up Dad's other cabinets with her craft stuff! She had some unfinished projects which I'll finish for her. I know when it comes to quilting she loved to piece together fabric. She would procrastinate over sandwiching and binding just like me. I think she has a couple of unfinished projects, but I still need to sort and see if there's anything I could finish. 

The first cabinet of craft materials I opened a few weeks ago had some of my collections. I have a collection of pig piggy banks which I used to fill up with coins. I used to have this lined up in my bedroom. It was the only collection I had that didn't go underwater during typhoon Ondoy. Mom kept it for me and she'd bring a few every time we saw each other. She probably also slipped in a couple of things that's important for her. 

One of Mom's craft cabinets. She even kept all my birthday cake toppers.

Mom really loved crafting. It kept her busy. We found a lot of her projects scattered around the house. Aside from quilting she loved to make paper crafts. I never needed to buy desk containers because she made a lot of small items. She also had unfinished paper craft projects. If she wasn't gardening she'd be busy with her crafts.

I'm getting help from our decluttering coach, Ally Canita, to sort out all the items at home. Properly sorting everything is key so we can figure out properly what to do with Mom's things. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Miracle Sundays: Dreamt of Mom

Dreamt of my Mom last night. We were somewhere sorting through her Christmas decorations. I was selecting some items to keep and the rest were to be donated. She didn't want me to keep a lot, but she kept pointing to one item. She said it was still good, but the "mountain" was missing. I didn't exactly know what the "mountain" meant, but it looked like a small part of the decor. 

Mom's garden.

I'm the only child who's here, so clearing out her house has fallen on my shoulders. I have a game plan already, but I just can't seem to get to it. Leaving the house as it is now makes me feel like she's just there. Busy with her garden, sewing or working on her crafts. 

It's probably her way of telling me to get moving. I originally targeted to start things after her 40th day. The most I've done is continue to manage the house and drop by every so often. I remember when I was a child, I used to ransack her cabinet often. I got a scolding and since then I have stayed away from her cabinet. I only open it whenever she asks me to get something. 

It's time and I guess my deadline is to finish things before Christmas. One thing I look forward to is finding her Christmas decors. Some are older than Miggy, so we'll see if they are still good. I'm thinking if we do one room per month, complete with sorting through the stuff I should finish by early next year. 

Pray for me. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I woke up to the news that you were gone. I had a feeling it was coming and I have been distressed about it the past few months. When Tita Letty called and told me, she was so distraught I slipped into how you trained me. When Dad left us, you told me it's a fact of life and I just have to live with it. I was so emotional, I was useless and you took care of everything. 

I'm a little cuckoo because you had me when you were 39. Latak as Daddy says.

I sat on the bed and tried to remember what you taught me and realized you did not teach me what to do. We sought the help of friends to figure out what to do. All I knew was you wanted to be laid to rest beside Daddy and to do it on a glorious mystery day. A few neighbors offered to help find a doctor, but everyone was out. Well, we eventually figured it out 

I have not cried. I know you'd be proud of me for being unemotional. I guess I've been emotional enough the past few months. I wanted you to stay with me, but you preferred to stay in your house. You wanted your freedom and well I haven't been well. You kept saying I inherited all your and Dad's illnesses. I would respond by saying because you both love me so much. 

I always thought I had more photos with Daddy, only noticed this cute one now.

I know you woke me up in the wee hours of the morning yesterday. I was having palpitations and was starting to feel numb. I worried about you and just prayed you're okay. Fell asleep again and woke up when Tita Letty called. I know you woke me up because I had to move. I found out though that you were trying to make a call, but God said it was time for you to go home. 

I was heat sensitive since birth, haha.

The next few days will be rough. I am trying to keep things together. Kuya will take care of the funeral and Ate will arrive on Friday. Please watch over us Mom and say hi to Dad from me. I know you're around because I've been smelling your scent all over the house. Don't worry, you trained me well. I got this. 

Love you Mom and will miss you. 

xoxo,

Aileen 

For those who wish to pay their last respects, wake will be from May 3, 2023, 5pm to Friday night at Manila Memorial Park. Inurment will be on Saturday, 9am. Please kindly wear a mask when you visit. Thank you. 

#BeKind #StaySafe