Mother's Day

Mother’s Day…..is one of the better celebrations that we keep…it’s  a celebration of mothers who go unnoticed for doing the hardest of all tasks in life…..raising a child.   I think this is one of the most difficult jobs ever and mothers deserve a day for themselves to be treated, given presents and generally swept off their feet to relax. On mother's day many gifts can be given depending on likes and dislikes – eg. flowers, chocolates, days out, jewellery or even just a card with a nice message.  It is just nice to acknowledge one day!

A Mother’s love! What can compare with it!  It means a life’s devotion and sacrifice….with one thought that her children with grow up healthy, strong and independent.  Is it different to being a mother now to say 30/40 years ago? Probably not.  I had my children in the 70’s. Childcare was non -existent and you had to pay for your child’s nursery place which they couldn’t start till they were at least 3yrs 6mths.    Their school placement started as near to their 5^th birthday as possible depending on school admissions times that took place January, April and September.  It was almost impossible for women to work as the child care was either too expensive or not in place…..unless they used their parents or friends to look after their children.  Free nursery placements are in place now from 3 years old but private nursery facilities are still very expensive. Women often return to work after child-birth but end up paying out nearly all their wages on child care…so they can keep their jobs.  Some companies accommodate women who have returned to work . Although the government now advocates a work/life balance…to reduce stress and lead to a more motivated, loyal staff….it is almost impossible to obtain a part-time job that fits in with school times…unless you work in a school! Schools do offer after school clubs...again you have to pay the price.

My mother did manage to work in a school - term time only. She was an exceptional lady….not in the sense that she was the ‘Brain of Britain’ but she was wise, kind, patient, tender and forgiving.  Her qualities were endless and her listening skills, second to none!  She was my friend as well as my mum.

“My mother succeeding in making me understand a great deal…indeed I owe to her loving wisdom, all that was bright and good in my long night”.

(Helen Keller – 1880 – 1968…from ‘The story of my life”)

I guess we could all say ‘Ain’t that the truth’!

A mother is…..

….the lady who looks surprised when her children bring her breakfast at 5am on Mother’s Day

…..an elegant woman with chewed rusk and the smell of sick on her T-shirt

…..a woman on the beach putting the final touch to a sand version of Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria’s most extravagant castle….while her kids watch

…….a person who stands no nonsense…..well not much anyway!

….a lady who can do a dozen things at once and still find time to kiss a bruised knee better

……a lady who is mild, gentle and kind,  who when confronted by someone  who could harm her children, snarls, attacks, bites, claws and spits them out!!

(Excerpts from a book called  “Mothers”…..A Helen Exley Giftbook…that I bought my mother 20 years ago)

Mums are an interlocking chain that hold the world together……whoever heard of Father Earth!

Well done all you mums….you do deserve the very best.

18/03/12