But I Smile Anyway…

“If I could be even half the mother you are, Mum, I’d be among the best.”

Ritu Bhathal

It’s Mothering Sunday, Peeps, and I write this as I wait for my family to rise from their slumbers.

While I wait, I want to pay a huge tribute to my mum, a woman who has been through so much in her life, yet ensured she has been there for my brother and I, our whole lives.

She’s nurtured us but not mollycoddled us, kept us from straying off the straight and narrow, but never clipped our wings, taught us to be the adults we are now, she has supported us, and loved us in that unconditional way only a mother can ever do.

Not only that, she is the most amazing grandma (Naani) to Lil Man and Lil Princess, and Daadi to my Finndian nephews.

Love you mum, with all my heart 💖

I can’t forget the other mother figures in my life who have played important roles in my life, too.

My aunts who always looked at me as another daughter, my Ammi, my bestie’s mum, who, when we were at uni, was closer, distance-wise, than my own mum, so would be constantly sending food, and distributing motherly hugs when needed, and my mother-in-law, who gave me the gift of my Hubby Dearest, and who is a wonderful grandma to our children, too.

I hope you’ll take a minute to see the little montage of photos I have put together for my mum. It’s soundtrack is a song called Maavan te Dhiyaan, translating as Mothers and Daughters.

I’d also like to take a moment to remember those for whom Mother’s Day can be tough. Those without a mum, those in the difficult process of trying to become a mum, those grieving a lost angel. There’s a mother inside each of us. Love, strength and prayers to you all. 🙏🏽💛

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there 😊

“A mother is the one who fills your heart in the first place.”

Amy Tan

Thakn you for this, Spidey.

It is indeed Mothering Sunday, here in the UK, today.

As I have written this the night before, the hope is that I have managed a lie in, but to be honest, given my body clock is operating on a different time zone to the two teenagers, and the night owl husband I think that even with my idea of a lie in, I’ll have been up a while, before they awake, so breakfast in bed is an idea that never seems to work!

Today, I want to celebrate my mother, though.

Again, I won’t be able to be with her, physically, due to the Covid restrictions, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate her.

Without my mum, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. She’s been my guide, my support, my shade, my sunshine, my friend.

She’s loved me, cradled me, sheltered me. She’s advised me, guided me, berated me (where needed).

But most of all, she’s been there. I know, that, despite being forty five, I have those moments where I need my mum, and she is always there, at the end of the phone, or video call, ready to listen.

And having learned from her, I try to be that to my own daughter and son.

I’ve said this before, but if i am even half the mother my own is, I would be a good one.

Today can’t pass without mentioning those other women, who I hold in high esteem, too.

My mother-in-law, who gave me her son, as my husband, and who has been my mother, truly, not an ‘in-law’. I am lucky to have such a wonderful relationship with her, and I am grateful every day.

My aunts, who have loved and cherished me, throughout my life. We may not live close by, but I know they are there, and some have been key figures in my life.

Even my best friend’s mum, who I call Ammi, because she opened her arms to me, the moment she knew that we were inseperable as a duo, and welcomed me as her fifth daughter. When I was at university, my own parents were a good few hours away, and my best friend’s family, just a short drive away. I would spend time there on some weekends, and she got to know my favourite dishes, so there were times when she’d send special food, just for me, when my bestie had been at home and I hadn’t been with her. It still happens, you know. If we have a meeting planned, Ammi would still make sure she’s made certain things for me to have.

So, how are you celebrating Mothers day? Are you the one being spoilt, or are you celebrating a great woman, mother or other, today?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps.