With Mother’s Day on May 11th, we are reflecting on how mothers are truly the heart of every home. As realtors and co-founders of The Downsizing Collective, we see every day how homes are shaped by the love, resilience, and traditions that mothers bring. Whether it’s the laughter around the kitchen table, the comfort of a well-loved living room, or the memories tucked into every corner, mothers create the spaces where families grow and thrive.
This central role that mothers play in our lives is especially evident when families make the decision to downsize. It’s often a deeply emotional process, guided by the desire to honour family legacies while embracing new chapters. We help families navigate these transitions, ensuring that the essence of “home” is preserved, even as the address changes. It’s about cherishing the past while making room for the future, just as mothers do.
This month, we reflect on our own mother’s journeys…
Barbara and her mother Marica
Barbara’s mother Marica immigrated from Croatia with her husband, determined to build a better life for her family. When Barbara’s dad passed away, her mom became a single mother in a new country, raising her children with unwavering strength and love. She worked full time, ran the household, and taught them to never give up - no matter what life brings. Tragically, Barb’s mom passed away from breast cancer when Barbara was just 12 years old. Years later, when she faced her own breast cancer diagnosis, it was her mother’s example that gave her the courage to persevere. Today, she is happy and healthy, forever grateful for how far cancer treatments have come, but most of all grateful for the resilience her mother instilled in her from a very young age.
Kathrin and her mother Barbara
Kathrin grew up in Switzerland with her parents and her brother. Her parents instilled in her humility, a strong work ethic, attention to detail, natural curiosity, a deep appreciation for nature, a love for the arts, and a nurturing care for others. These values continue to shape Kathrin’s life and the way she raises her own family in Canada. Though her mother still lives in Switzerland, Kathrin makes every effort to stay close, despite the distance between them. In her mom, she knows she has a source of steady and unwavering support—and someone to turn to in any situation.
To all the mothers and mother figures - thank you for making every house a home. Happy Mother’s Day!