Mum loved clothes, she loved handbags, earrings and all accessories (a love which I happily inherited). Mum was advocate extraordinaire for charity clothes shops and I believe it was Mum who kept most of those shops in our local area going. Anytime I’d compliment a bag or coat of Mum’s her reaction was always the same “two pounds fifty in Enable Ireland.” Mum also shopped on the high street but I think the satisfaction that came with finding such bargains was what kept Mum going back to the charity shops again and again.
When Mum died and I had the unenviable task of sorting out all her clothing. Like many post-death duties it became a task that had to be completed, and in order to do that the emotional aspect had to be ignored in the immediacy. It turned into a really rewarding experience as Mum’s clothes came full circle by going straight back to Enable Ireland or to the ladies she had worked with through St Vincent dePaul.
[...] not that Mum was a big spender, in fact she spent most of her time in second hand shops. But Mum loved just the thought that a new dress, skirt, top would bring you so much joy. So I [...]