Back

The last bottle of champagne | Day 165 of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Jun 15, 2023

🇩🇰 Also available in Danish 🇩🇰

On the last day we spent with my sister's family in Sweden, we shared the last bottle of champagne from my mother, whom we all lost four years ago. My sister and I lost our mother; our children lost their grandmother; the men in the house lost their mother-in-law.

We made a simple toast to her. This is how we cope with grief by now. A simple toast. To our mother.

It meant a lot. The little smile. The sigh.

The bottle was the final one from our mother's home, and my sister's husband had been kind enough to remember to bring it. When the two families spend time together, it is precious time. There is nothing exciting to say about the things we did, the boardgames, the drawings, the Swedish children’s television from the seventies, the investigation of ancient technology in the house, the little walk, yet another dip in the lake, the cooking and cleaning, working with the dogs, the conversations, the gaming.

It is not a Great Adventure.

Except it is.

It is the Greatest Adventure of them all.

It is love in real life.

Living in deep connection with someone, several someones, who means the world. Loved ones. Precious ones. My love for my sister's family is as deep as the one I hold for my own, and every single little interaction we get to have is like another pearl in a shrine in my heart.

The time we get to share. Even the losses we share.

Sharing a bottle of champagne in the midst of what looks like an ordinarily chaotic day with ten people and three dogs in one house looks like close to nothing.

On the contrary, it is everything.

Love and light

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

🇩🇰 Also available in Danish 🇩🇰

 

Thank you for reading
I would love to hear from you. Listen to your thoughts and reflections - or praise :) It is often emotional to share our life like this, and we get very happy when we get feedback from you. So feel free to share a comment below 😋 

Unschooling and Parent consulting, conversations, blogposts, and podcasts on family life and learning

Hi, I'm Cecilie Conrad. I'm a trained psychologist, mother of four, radical unschooler and full-time traveller. I have lived with unschooling for over a decade and help other families find their own path – whether it is about homeschooling, unschooling, or the bigger question of how you want to live as a family.

I offer guidance, conversations and talks. I call my work grandmothering – not coaching in the traditional sense, but presence, professional insight and concrete help navigating motherhood and finding your way home to your own values.

Am I the right person to help you? You can book a free discovery call, and we'll talk and figure it out.

Listen to my podcasts

I share my knowledge and curiosity about family life and learning in my two podcasts.

Da Ladies - cover
self-directed-podcast

Read my latest blogposts

Birds. Sugar. Jesus. Balance. The simple joys of life, like sharing a cup of coffee with loved ones. Discover how a mundane moment can hold profound …Read more
Delve into the heart of cultural immersion as we navigate the delicate balance between observing and participating in local traditions. Join us in re…Read more
Explore the profound traditions of Dia De Los Muertos through our personal journey of remembrance and cultural discovery. From sacred altars to vibra…Read more
Join me on my personal journey through Mexico as I navigate writing a book with a lifelong friend, unschooling my children, and embracing the vibrant…Read more
Join our family adventure as we discover the untamed remnants of Mayan culture in Playa del Carmen's exclusive community—no tickets, no crowds, just …Read more
The moon's mystique enhances the tranquility of our daily routine. From the simplicity of a beach walk to the profound beauty of a moonrise, discover…Read more
Dive into a day of introspection and cultural exploration as I navigate through moods, art galleries, and local festivities. From the subtleties of i…Read more
From exploring local cenotes to movie nights featuring Frida Kahlo, our family navigates the challenges and joys of settling into Mexico. Discover ho…Read more
Struggling with jetlag, a virus, and adjusting to a new life in Mexico, my family found solace in a local vegan, organic restaurant. Discover how sim…Read more