Happy Birthday Mom - YouLookFab Forum

Hi everyone, I just wanted to write a short post to acknowledge my Mom's birthday today It's the second one since she died, and the memories are much happier this time. It feels weird to not be making more of a fuss out of it, but my family is so lowkey and not prone to talking about these things. My Dad was here for our usual Thursday lunch, and in the car, a favourite old song of her happened to come on - it was a nice moment tied to a happy memory for him, and it was so nice to see him smile

It's weird because as much as I wish she was here, I am also so grateful that she didn't have to face cancer treatment during covid. She would have been anxious and scared to be in the hospital alone, trapped in her house, and unable to see her grandchildren. It's disconcerting to feel 'grateful' that she's not here, but you know what I mean.

Anyways I'm rambling now, but I just felt I needed to do something to mark the day and share my feelings about it. Here are a few photos of my Mom; I'm being cheeky because she hated photos of herself! But I think she'll give me a pass today

Thanks for listening xoxo

1. A fall walk near Georgian Bay
2. With DD as a baby
3. With DS as a baby
4. A few Christmases ago
5. Surprise 60th birthday (me, my sister, and Mom) - she'd never been given a surprise part before and we had family come from Ireland and Chicago as a surprise ... it's was like "This is your life"
6. One of the last family photos of me, my parents and my sis all together; Mom was between treatments, feeling well and looking beautiful

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4 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Such sweet pictures, Helena. I like this Hebrew proverb, which your pictures make me think of: Say not in grief that they are gone, but give thanks that they were yours.

Helena

I love that Rachy, thank you xx

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A myriad of understandable emotions and beautifully expressed. Very heartfelt. Happy birthday to your fabulous Mama. She is resting in peace and yakking with mine. Cancer is brutal and I’m relieved they are no longer suffering.

Wonderful pics. Love in your heart, and Dad with you in person. That’s precious too. Much love. Xo

JAileen

Your family pictures are lovely. My father died 18 years ago and I still think of him every day.

Thank you so much Angie ... The pair of them drinking a load of tea too I'll wager! Xoxo

Jaileen, love to you. Xx Memories are so precious

So comforting to not be alone. Huge hugs.

slim cat

Beautiful pictures - lots of happy memories!
Love the white blazer and necklace your mom was wearing in the last pic - gorgeous.
Still miss my father - it'll be 25 years this August ( cancer as well ).

RobinF

Beautiful pictures - love her smile! Birthdays can be so hard, I am happy that you are able to look at it more positively this year. Each year should get a little easier. Cancer is a horrible disease. I really love looking at pictures of those who have passed away, it brings them back for a time.

Slim Cat, love to you and your father's memory. Cancer is a beast.

Thanks for the comments on her last outfit! It was probably one of her very best. She bought it for a wedding in Ireland; her last trip "home" and she looked so wonderful, people couldn't even believe she wasn't well. This was another wedding in Toronto; I'm glad I got to see her in it in person xx

Robin, thank you! Her grandkids could get the best smiles out of her in particular The memories are much happier this year ... last year was a lot of processing the hard bits of her illness. I hope the trend continues xx

Janet

Aw, so lovely, Helena. Hugs to you! It does get easier with time, but never easy. I can’t get my head around how the time has gone — 12 years since my mom passed, and it will be 30 this year since my dad. 30!

I understand what you mean about being grateful she didn’t have to endure the Covid era too. I lost a very dear friend last February to cancer, and her memorial celebration of life party was the last social event I experienced before everything shut down. I’m so grateful we could be with her in hospice and she didn’t have to be alone in those final days. I can only imagine how hard it’s been for those who endured this in the past year.

Glory

This is a lovely way to say happy birthday. What wonderful photos to remember your mother by. I’m so happy it is easier for you this year. Cancer is such a difficult journey and you are right about the added difficulties of treatment during covid.
Sending virtual hugs.

Murph11

Sending you virtual hugs. I needed to read this lovely memorial and heartfelt comments this morning, so thank you.

Joyce B

Helena, thank you for sharing special memories and lovely pictures from your dear mother. She will always be with you. May you find peace, comfort and blessings in the beautiful memories.

catherine

Very special photos. Thanks for sharing them. Losing your mom is truly a life changing experience. Sending good thoughts your way today.

Anonymous

Music has a special way of touching us. Glad the song comforted you this week. Sending love your way.

Thank you so much everyone; I truly appreciate it xoxox

Janet, my FIL died just before Covid too ... it's again that feeling of, if his time had to come, thank God it did before he had to be stuck in that hospital alone. I'm sure you're friend was so grateful and very comforted by your visits during her final journey. xoxo

smittie

So sweet of you.
Yes, a blessing that she did not go through cancer treatments during covid.

anchie

Lovely tribute to your mom and beautiful pictures.

My mom was admitted to hospital 10 days ago and was just diagnosed with colon cancer. She is now scheduled for urgent surgery, she is also loosing lot of blood. And she is all alone in hospital, even my father who is fully immunized is not allowed to see her.

Oh Anchie, I'm so very sorry to hear this. Sending love and strength. What a difficult time. Xx

Oh no Anchie. That’s so hard, scary.

Cardiff girl

What is grief but love persevering ,and love shines through all these photos.Hugs to you as you remember your lovely mumx

Helena, virtual hugs!

anchie, that's very stressful, and sending healing thoughts to Mum. Colon cancer is a treatable cancer. Stay strong and positive. Much love. xo

Irina

Helena, what a bitter sweet day. Wonderful photos!

anchie, terrible news! Best wishes to your Mum and the whole family.

kkards

What a lovely tribute to your mom. And what a wonderful mom she must have been to have raised a daughter as loving and caring as you.

Best wishes Helena and although I can't express in detail why, I know the words are thank you.

Happy birthday to your late mom. Hugs! Hugs to Anchie too! My MIL just joined her (also cancer)

Suntiger, I'm so sorry Huge love to you and yours. xox

Thank you so much everyone xoxox

Style Fan

Lovely photos, Helena. Thank you for sharing. I like the proverb that Rachy shared.

I am so sorry, Suntiger and Anchie. Much love to both of you.

Jaime

Helena I'm sorry I had not seen this thread earlier. I am glad you can share those beautiful pictures of your family. Warmest thoughts.

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