This year both my children are 18 or over and they wanted this small tree for the Christmas tree. “Don’t kill a tree, mom.” they said.
This tree is the last bonsai from my parents. My mother died in 2000 from ovarian cancer. She was at home in hospice for nearly seven weeks and we had over thirty visitors. My sister and my father and I all ignored the plants: and most of the bonsais died with her.
My father cared for the remaining ones even as his health deteriorated. He died at home as he would have wished, in 2013, alone and a sudden death. Two of the three remaining trees died. So this ficus came home with me. I water it faithfully and brought out the small ornaments to decorate for the holidays. I don’t know how old it is. After we lose our parents, we wonder about things: where is this from, how old is it, was it important to you, was it a random gift? Did you buy it, did you love it, was it not something that you cared about?
This holiday ask a family member to tell you a story about something in their house. Ask about something that you like, or is unique, or that really doesn’t fit in. Ask about a piece of art or a piece of furniture or jewelry. And write the stories down for the next generation…. while you can.
KO Rural Mad As Hell Blog 
It flew away before finish! You know I am so interested in helping children and young people overcoming loss and building of relationships also when it comes to adopted children or getting a new stepparent. But really I want you to chose. I have been a bit stuck on the children/ health subject as I am not working anymore, but I am starting on a private basis in a small scale
Great topic. Came up in clinic yesterday. I will work on it!
Thank you I will read some instructions by Michelle one of the admins on how we do everything in a practical way. I am new to this, but so excited to hear that you will help me and be my guest blogger Katherine Ottaway
ok!
I can identify with wanting to ask my parents something like” Who is on that picture and where was it taken? I have some Christmas cactus from my mother or maybe my grandmother. I can’t ask. I am glad to “see” you again. Maybe you would like to guest blog once on my blog. Maybe something on children? ( I dared to ask) and I won’t be disappointed if you can’t
oh, I would very much like to…. so on health and children? more specific?
Thank you for this positive answer. Something on children. I really would like you to decide.
I have an essay written, is there email I should send it to you to preview?
Thank you so much. It’s mariaholm51@gmail.com
draft forwarded….
I wish that I had done it for more things, not just photographs. What are a few of your parents favorite things and why? It is more about the memories attached to the things than the things themselves…..
I enjoy to have some of my mother’s utensils for baking and my father’s tools. It’s like they are still around a little bit. Then I have all the photos from their whole lives
lovely.
Great idea.