Things I've Learnt From Mum

Circa 1982

In honour of Mother's Day I'd like to share with you a few things I've learnt from my Mum.

1. Mother Knows Best: Call it intuition, call it super-smart-mummy-powers but I have picked up Mum's amazing ability to see my child's future with fine-tuned pyshic abilities. Mum always had the uncanny knack of being able to tell you what will happen before you do it. She would say, "You're not going to climb the tree because you will fall out and break your arm." I remember being astonished that Mum knew that would happen. "But how do you know that if I'm not allowed to climb the tree in the first place?" I'd say to myself, never back to her, of course. I would undoubtedly attempt to climb the tree while she wasn't watching and usually fall out. She was right, again. Now I use this magic power on E and it has very similar results because Mother knows best!

2. Words of Wisdom - a few of Mum's favourite sayings I've already found myself repeating to E:
"Please think about what you want before you open the fridge."
"You can have Bees Knees On Toast."
"We're going there and back to see how far it is."
"Watching television is a privledge not a right." - Actually this one might've been Dad...

3. Saving Bits and Bobs: I never use to keep rubbish. Oops, sorry I mean bits and bobs like used cardboard boxes, old gift bags or bubblewrap. Now I must keep it ALL. I couldn't possibly throw out the ripped newspaper E has been playing with for 3 days because it will come in really handy if I have to pack a breakable item. And why would I want to replace the old laundry basket with one broken handle and half the wicker fallen out? It might not carry clothes like it use to but E plays in it all the time, besides it's a great way to store all my clothes that haven't been bothered to put themselves on clothes hangers yet. Don't worry I'm not going to be the next star of TV's Horders but I know - just like Mum - that these items will come in very handy one day.

4. Brain Power: When Mum tried to call out to my brothers or me she'd go through all our names before she found the one that fit. On the spur of the moment she couldn't recall that 'tiny' detail -  I still quite often get called my Aunts name by accident. But ask Mum to tell you about a time in her childhood or for details around a family holiday and she will recount every fact with Stephen Hawking-style precision. Magically, it seems since becoming a Mum I have developed this ability myself. Just yesterday I knew I had a small box packed away in the back of the linen cupboard which I'd left there months earlier (another advantage of saving bits and bobs - see above). But, do you think I could remember E's birthday when I needed to fill out government forms in the afternoon? My brain popped back into action eventually but that little scenario made me abundantly aware that my memory is looking very Mumzy.

5. Family Comes First: I may poke fun and I may have a laugh, but Mum knows she is my guarding light. I know for a fact that her family comes first and she would move mountains for us - if we asked. Mum shows me everyday, even when seperated by thousands of kilometres, that she is here for me and my family too. Her love and support has seen me through many dark days and I can honestly say that I wouldn't be half the Mum I am today (or hope to be) if she wasn't in my life and demonstrated what it is to love fearcely. Unquestioningly.

I am forever grateful to you, my darling Mum, for being my Mum and loving me the way you do each and everyday - even when I'm a little shit! I hope I can be half as amazing to E as you are for me.

Happy Mother's Day. xx