Losing a mother is an incredibly painful experience. My best friend Leslie went through this two years ago when her mother, Tina, passed away unexpectedly. There were no final words, no last “I love you.” It was a devastating blow, and witnessing her pain brought back the memories of my own loss. When I was young, my father was tragically murdered, and later, saying goodbye to my mother before moving to the US became a permanent farewell as she succumbed to cancer before I could see her again. Having known Leslie since childhood and being embraced by Tina as a daughter, I felt her loss deeply. Tina wasn’t just Leslie’s mother; she was a nurturing figure in my life too.
Leslie's thoughtful condolence gift, a compact mirror, symbolizing her mother's lasting qualities.
Tina was incredibly giving and taught me so much about life. (I even remember her humorously navigating teenage questions by gifting Leslie and me a copy of Playgirl in junior high!). I wanted to offer Leslie more than just condolences; I wanted to give her a gift that acknowledged her pain and celebrated the beautiful legacy of her mother – a reminder that Tina’s spirit lived on in her. Finding the right condolence gift to express these complex emotions felt crucial. Flowers seemed inadequate to convey the depth of my sympathy and admiration for Tina.
Knowing that Leslie embodied so many of Tina’s wonderful qualities, I searched for a symbolic gift. I chose a Mother of Pearl Peacock Pair Double Compact Magnifying Purse Mirror. The mirror featured two peacocks crafted from mother-of-pearl, symbolizing shared traits and individual beauty. To personalize it further, I had the back engraved with a meaningful message:
You Reflect the Best of Your Mother
In Memory of Tina Thomas
Mother to Many
I presented this gift to Leslie during our 30th birthday road trip. As we sat in Yellowstone National Park, watching Old Faithful prepare to erupt, I took the mirror from my jacket pocket and shared my thoughts behind the gift. The moment was deeply emotional. We both cried, and Leslie, through her tears, laughed, “I feel like you just proposed!” Watching Old Faithful erupt, we were reminded of Tina’s life – brilliant, beautiful, and perhaps too short, but a blessing to have experienced. The memory of Tina and that day remains etched in our hearts.
“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
