Yesterday afternoon, I went to Kelvingrove Museum to listen to the organ recital with the intent of remembering my Mum as well as listening to some music. I'm not sure what I hoped to feel, but whatever it was, I didn't expect it to be as benignly pleasant as it was. I recalled the visit my family made there, which was a happy memory. I recalled visiting with other friends. I imagined my Mum as teenager standing on the upper level looking down at the huge area where, now there's a coffee shop and a melee of visitors.
Today, I opted for the walking nostalgia route, which includes a lot of my own favourite places. Mum always reckoned that Glasgow Green had a 'bad' feel due to the executions - I still don't sense that, but I had a nice wander. Back along Sauchiehaul Street, past Sandiford place where her parents rented a flat when they moved to Glasgow, past La Belle Allee where they were church officers for the Christian Science Church. Through Kelvingrove Park, past what was once Woodside Senior Secondary School, and then via the Kelvin Walkway into the Botanic Gardens. All places she knew, that were important in her life. As a young woman she roved freely throughout this great city, the mileage I covered today reflecting what she might well have done herself (albeit she probably used trams rather than feet!). I imagined myself telling her about what I'd seen - not the catching myself forgetting that I can't, kind of thing, but a deliberate, pretend conversation.
And I read the funeral service out loud 'to' her... or her as she looks in the photo we're using; her as I remember her watching my every move at the funeral I conducted for my cousin (after which she told me I had done a good job); her as a warm, living person who wouldn't pull her punches if she didn't like what I said! And I think she was OK with it. Which means I'm OK with it.
Just about everything that can be done has been done. Tomorrow morning I head south, and enter 'radio silence' until Thursday. I have received oodles of well wishes, cards, hugs, promises of prayers and 'vibes' and know that many, many people 'have got my back', so all will be well, whatever 'well' looks like on the day.
Savour your lives, gentle readers, and enjoy recalling old, and making new, memories. Life is fleeting and frail, but the memories we make and the love we share, these are a legacy beyond price.