Rest in Peace

Corinne Alexandre

1942-2011

Dear Mummy

I know you used to love reading my blogs and keeping up with my life and my work so here’s a post just for you.

I’m sad we didn’t get to say goodbye. I’m sad you will never get to see me as a bride, to hear the tales of my own wedding day and to see the second little paradise I have created in Ibiza. I’m sad you will never have the experience of being a grandma or a nanna. You would have made such a good one and I know how much you loved babies.

Photographs are all the more precious now you’re gone aren’t they? I understand now why you always used to love to look at pictures of your own mother and father, long since passed away. I remember us sitting looking through boxes of old photographs, laughing at what people were wearing, and you telling me tales of when you were young. I used to think you were crazy spending hours filling all those scrapbooks with photographs of our lives, the shelves groaned under the weight. I watched you reglue them when the glue dried out and carefully put them back in their rightful places.

Now these sweet gestures seem so poignant. Did you ever think of them in this way? Preserving the memories for future generations….keeping our shared experiences alive when you couldn’t be with us any longer. I can’t tell you how much I am going to love looking through those scrapbooks.

The happy times we shared together captured forever, looking at these pictures I can feel your warm hugs enveloping me, your little giggles, your homemade cake. The way you cared so much for us all, and your kind and generous spirit. You taught me the power of a thoughtful gesture, how much the little things count and the importance of nurturing a home. You made the best Christmas stockings and I loved that you continued the tradition when I was far too old, but still (not so secretly) loved it. I loved the beautiful garden you created, and the way you cared for us, even though you drove me nuts asking me if I wanted a cup of tea fifteen times an hour.

I smile when I think of you actually buying a Mercedes on Ebay. You took to the world of the web so fast once you got up and running. I bet even your Ebay feedback score is higher than mine. I have definitely inherited your skill for shopping. Is that something I should thank you for?

It’s my belief that life is all about experiences, and I’m happy I was able to treat us to so many special experiences together and spend some lovely times with you. Maybe sometime you thought I was being extravagant or couldn’t afford it, but I wanted you to enjoy things you had never had the opportunity to try, like spa weekends away, staying in beautiful country hotels, outdoor concerts, tea at the Ritz…… and learning to farm alpacas. And I am grateful that you didn’t plunge headfirst into the world of alpaca ownership. I am glad I don’t have to re-home 20 alpacas right now.

So thank you for everything you gave me, for all the love, generosity and care. We’re going to bury you in a beautiful garden amongst wild flowers, so you can be honoured in a place you would have loved.

Sweet mummy, I will think of you always.

{My Mum passed away unexpectedly on Friday. I love her and miss her.}