Life Goes On

Mum and I have both been feeling quite down over the last few days.  We miss Dad so much.  People at Church and elsewhere ask how we are, and of course we say we're fine.  Although we can enjoy things and even laugh and make jokes, there's always an underlying sadness.  It's been such a long time since I've experienced pure joy, and it's painful to know that Mum will never really get over losing her soulmate.  We've been gradually taking Dad's clothes into charity shops.  It's upsetting to part with them, but just as upsetting to see them hanging in the wardrobe knowing he's not coming back to use them.  Whatever we do with them, it hurts.  Mum says "sorry" to his photo whenever she fills another bag with his things.

But life goes on, and I've been finding solace and peace taking care of the garden that Dad worked so hard to establish.  I generally spend about an hour or so each evening that I'm at Mum's watering, deadheading, weeding and keeping it from going wild.  The amount I do is not really enough, but it's keeping it ticking over and looking presentable.  The garden is still constantly evolving and renewing itself, and the cycle of life continues despite Dad not being here.

My sister and niece are also bearing some of the workload in the garden, and worked hard to cut the front hedge a few weeks ago so that it would be neat and tidy.  The trailing geraniums that my sister planted in the hanging baskets are still constantly in bud, and I liked the way the evening sun caught them in this photo.