This morning was chilly, the kind where the air carries the crispness of winter’s approach. I wasstanding in the kitchen, hands wrapped around a mug of my morning ritual tea, staring out of the window at the bare branches swaying in the wind. Today marks a year since my mother passed away, but the ache in my chest felt just as sharp as it did that first day.

My mother was an artist, a woman who saw the world not just as it was but as it could be. Her hands, always busy creating, had the power to turn blank canvases into worlds of colour and emotion. She taught me to see beauty in the smallest things—a shadow dancing on a wall, the vibrant streak of orange in a sunset, the texture of a leaf.

This time last year, the world felt emptier without her. The grief was so consuming that I didn’t know how I could move forward. But as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, I began to realise that grief wasn’t something I had to “get over.” It was something I had to learn to live with.

The Lessons of Grief

Grief, I’ve learned, is not linear. It comes in waves. Some days, the memories bring a soft smile to my lips; other days, they bring tears I can’t stop. Early on, I fought those tears, thinking they were a sign of weakness. But grief, I’ve discovered, is not a weakness. It’s a testament to love.

My mother’s absence taught me how much she had shaped who I am. Her ability to find beauty in the mundane reminded me to slow down. I started noticing little things—how sunlight filtered through the curtains, the calming rhythm of rain against the window, the vivid hues of nature I’d once overlooked. In these moments, I felt her presence, as though she was whispering, “See? It’s still here. Keep looking.”

Carrying Her Spirit Forward

When we launched Luna Selene, I felt her spirit in everything we created. My mother would have loved this brand—not just because of the products but because of the purpose behind it. She believed in nurturing the soul as much as the body, in creating spaces for thoughtful prayer and self-expression.

As I worked on the designs for our first product line, I often thought of her. She’d spent hours in her studio, carefully choosing colours and textures, letting her intuition guide her. I channelled that same care into every decision we made, from the ingredients we sourced to the packaging we designed.

I like to think she’d be proud—not just of the products themselves but of the heart behind them. She’d remind me, as she always did, that art and creation are not just about the outcome; they’re about the process, the intention, and the story they tell.

Finding Strength in Her Memory

There are still days when grief feels overwhelming. A song she loved might play on the radio, or I’ll see someone wearing a scarf in her favourite shade of teal, and the tears will come without warning. But there are also days when I feel her encouragement so strongly, it’s as if she’s standing beside me, her paint-streaked hands resting on my shoulders, saying, “You’ve got this.”

In those moments, I’m reminded that loss doesn’t mean the end of a relationship. I still carry her lessons with me: to find beauty in the ordinary, to pursue what lights up my soul, and to create something meaningful.

A Legacy of Love

This year, as I reflect on everything that’s changed, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Grief has been my greatest teacher. It’s shown me the depth of my love for my mother, the resilience I didn’t know I had, and the importance of honouring her legacy.

Every brushstroke she painted, every piece of advice she gave, and every quiet moment we shared continues to guide me. When I create, when I nurture Luna Selene, I feel like I’m keeping her spirit alive.

This blog, this journey, and this brand are all for her. To honour the artist who taught me to see the world through a lens of beauty and grace.

If you’re navigating grief, know that it’s okay to feel everything—joy, sadness, and even anger. It’s all part of the process. And remember, the love you shared never leaves you. It stays, woven into the fabric of who you are.

For me, my mother’s love is there in every sunset, every brushstroke, and every product we create at Luna Selene. And I know, without a doubt, that she’d be proud.

This one’s for you, Mum. Always.