Aloe Designs

a letter to my mom,

a week ago today you passed away. it was all too much, too soon, not soon enough. we were privileged to sit alongside you, laying between dreams and slow breaths, inching closer to take the leap into this next life.

the last memories with you: stroking your sunken face, with the luxurious face cream you so religiously applied until, the very end. holding your frail, bruised hand with a tenderness i didn’t know how to offer when you were alive and vibrant. advocating (because this i know how to do!) to honour your dignity and humility until the very end.

your energy, your spirit, leaving before our eyes. in reality, it left some time ago — this disease that steals your very soul, slowly over time. like 1000 little pinprick deaths, each one a reminder to cling to the good.

there is no playbook for grief. you will be forever missed, forever loved, and always present in the garden. 🤍sweet mama

early morning light
palm leaves
a soft seat for tea and a read
kittens who are no longer kittens but are still being referred to as kittens 🐈‍⬛
📷 by

the perfect pause spot to reflect, read or indulge in a midday nap. spent hours in these orbits over the last week, recharging and connecting to the surrounding landscape. thinking of incorporating more of these orbits into our larger design projects. some good books were enjoyed while cocooning:

view from above. 🚁

dripping with pineapple juice
the smell of sun-kissed skin
waterlogged ears
thunderstorms
and salt crusted faces
rinse and repeat