It's Mother's Day tomorrow, and my Mum is down to stay.
I've cooked her a meal – roast potato, pumpkin and sweet potato soup – complete with premium chicken stock and organic fresh cream; Greek inspired pizza – lamb, pumpkin, eggplant, feta and tzatziki; and home made trifle from my favourite local deli.
I hope she enjoys it as much as I've enjoyed preparing it. And I hope she loves the present I got her.
My Mum is the best mother anyone could wish for. She is patient, funny, generous (especially with her time), a brilliant cook, and she has done so much for me in my life. She spent so much time with me in hospital, even in my adult years. At home, she would comb the skin out of my scalp and do my wet dressings – all without any nursing training. Many nights were spent with me lying on the floor, her 'doing' me hair, which often hurt, but I have great memories of it because we used to make up fairytales together.
Sometimes we have arguments, and sometimes I may seem like I don't appreciate her as much as I should. And we don't ever agree on tidiness. I believe the tidy gene has bypassed me. But we always have a big laugh and I regard her as my best friend.
When I was choosing a card for Mum last week, I saw the cards for grandmothers. It made me think of my own grandmother, Nanny. Nanny passed away on 27 September 2008 at 86 years of age. Mother's Day 2008 was the last time I spoke to Nanny properly. She suffered from mental illness throughout her life – I often found this very difficult to understand. Towards the end of Nanny's life, my Mum (her daughter-in-law) was so good with her. I admire Mum a lot for this, and I hope that when it comes my turn to look after an elderly person in my life, I am just as patient and loving as Mum was with Nanny.
Nanny loved to write letters on pretty stationery, and to eat cake – two characteristics I've inherited from her. When I'd return to my parents' house, I'd often show Nanny the new clothes I'd purchased, and would put on a little fashion parade for her. On Christmas day 2007, we had a bit of a
Trinny and Susannah session before going to a party, where Nanny and I gave Mum some advice about how to turn her figure into an hour glass simply by wearing something nipped in at the waist. It is a nice memory I have of her. In honour of Nanny on this Mother's Day, I chose the trifle because that was a favourite of hers.
Here are some of my favourite photos of Mum and I.
Easter 2009
Devenport, Tasmania, 2009
My birthday, 2007
Mum's birthday, 2008 - dancing to the Bee Gees
At Mum and Dad's house, 2007
Happy Mother's Day, Mum. I love you xx
