It's so lovely you have your mums words to look back on.
Shortly after my dad died I took up an allotment (not sure if you have them in SA but basically it is a collection of gardens usually owned by the council or an association, you can rent cheaply to grow veg).
My dad was a keen gardener (only vegetables, he thought flowers were a waste of space! In fact he used to joke that for his funeral he didn't want flowers, if he were to have a bunch of anything it should be carrots. So I bought him a bunch of carrots to sit on top of his coffin!).
He had an allotment all the time I knew him (he gave up his allotment about 6 months before he died). I spent a lot of time digging and thinking about him and wondering what advice he would give me.
It is a great way to connect with people, sharing their passions, even if they are no longer here.
Much love to you and your family, @jaynie.