Everyone described the relationship my Mum and I had as very special. I am 53, lost my dad when I was 20 and although I have a partner, Mum and I lived together. I don’t have children and I have 1 much older sister who does not live close. Mum and I were extremely close. Mum died suddenly, a few days short of her 94th birthday. I think that I had anticipatory grief over the last 2 years due to her age and she also I think knew that due to age, she couldn’t last forever - something she said herself. As it was too painful and because I didn’t want to acknowledge that Mum wouldn’t also be here, I kept it to myself. Looking back now, I would probably have spoken to her about how I felt and how things could carry on after she had died, what it might look like for me. It wouldn’t have changed things but I might have felt better now to have shared it with her. We talked a bit about early retirement for me. My Mum always wanted me to keep connections with friends and so I have and it has helped. Your Mum will probably have many more years ahead. She will probably want you to keep your circle wide, so that you have support for the future. I remember how my Mum coped when my dad died and so am doing the same now for myself. I reached out to others for support. I would have spoken with my Mum about how I felt and then carried on living a happy life.
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