Mother’s Day Shout Out

I usually find days like today to be a load of faff, a bit like Valentine’s and Easter and even Christmas. They’ve become too commercialised and filled with high expectations that leave us deflated when they’re not met or painfully aware of what we don’t have. It can be quite traumatising to spend such days thinking about what you don’t have (ie. a partner on Valentine’s or a parent on Mother’s day) or can’t have in future (ie. a child of your own). Plus, why wait for a social convention to celebrate someone in your life, remember those we have lost or to spend time with family and loved ones? Here’s the caveat: We don’t need an excuse, but perhaps sometimes it good to have that reminder to step back, be grateful, and appreciate those people we may otherwise take for granted in the stress and rush of life.

I am very fortunate to have a wonderful mother, so here is my little thanks to her. She has always stood by me, has believed in me, has been there when everyone else has walked away. She has what seems to be almost unlimited patience, a generosity that knows no bounds and a heart that never hardens. She makes me laugh and has taught me some ridiculous but brilliant mother’s wit (“it’s enough to give your arse a toothache” is one of my favourites). I can never repay her for her support over what have been some very difficult and challenging years through my health issues, and I can never apologise enough for feeling as though I have been a disappointment. But we are all human, we makes mistakes and sometimes we say things we don’t mean, and we accept that none of us are perfect or positive every day.

She has raised me to be gentle and compassionate, to be myself, to be hardworking and thoughtful. She has given me the better parts of myself, and for that I will always be grateful.

So here’s a shout out to all of our wonderful mothers out there – whether they are still with us or not, whether biologically related or like-a-mother to us. Here’s to those of you who are mother’s yourselves, for the beauty you have bought in to the world, for the love you give and the role models you will become. Happy Mother’s Day.