Monday 4 April 2011

My Mother

My Mother
Well, the best mother in the world, of course.
Why?
Well, because she listens.
And when listening to someone's tale she will say,
'Stop! Wait! Start at the beginning! You parked the car...'
And will then Really Listen. Right to the very end. And beyond.
And you know she's listening because she likes to know all the details. And asks for them.
Which is pure gold.
She cares.
When I am sick, she rings.
'Darling, how ARE you?' she will ask.
And keep asking, until she knows I am OK again.
She goes to see darling
Persil, aged 92, who used to baby sit for me when I was little, every single day to check she is fine. Rain or shine.
Takes her out for elevenses, or a little trip to the village shop, recently re-opened, to enormous excitement to our family. We all arrived the morning it opened, swelling the crowds (one other person) and bewildering the shop assistant with exclamations of joy, 'They've got TEA BAGS!' and 'HOORAY! I can see BAKED BEANS!'
Thrilling, though, when the nearest shop is miles away and is Tesco. Yeeurch.
My Mother loves.
And tells us so whenever we need to be told. And when we don't.
She laughs.
Fruity, deep laughs or 'I'm going to be sick, I am laughing so hard' or 'Oh, God, I'll wet my pants' laugh. She has a way of telling a story that gets you giggling way before the punchline. By the time it's reached, you are in agony and are begging her to stop.
She weeps.
Copiously. She gets cross with herself for the tears that get in the way of what she wants to say. And wipes them away. Before weeping again.
She understands.
Always. Knows what's going on in that head of mine. And helps me tease out the muddle. So that I can see straight again.

My Mother.
How I love her.










11 comments:

Catharine Withenay said...

And now we know where you get it from!
What a lovely tribute.

Clippy Mat said...

Wow!
That's lovely, and she sounds fab! Tell us more.
:-)

Anita said...

Thank you for sharing the enormous love for your mother, and for making me think of how much I love mine.

Kitty said...

She sounds a lovely lady, and I'm sure she feels blessed to have you :)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

How sweet was that for your mom. Made me feel bad when you said how she listens, awaits all the details. My middle son was just sitting here telling me about a TV show. I was reading and I have to admit, I wasn't listening at all.

Note to self - be a better mom. Important.

Anonymous said...

I'm always amazed at people who are fortunate enough to have this kind of a Mom. Mine never was and still isn't. We don't speak. In fact she has 7 children and only one of them speaks to her on a regular basis and 4 only call her on the holidays. Sadly the most important thing I've learned from my Mom is how not to be one. I hope one day my children regard me in the same manner as you so lovingly regard your Mom.

Ladybird World Mother said...

CW - oh, you are lovely... I am in fact a witch of a mother, but thanks for being so nice!
CM - she truly is a fab mother... I am so lucky.
Anita - Oh, thank you. Am v glad that you have such a mother too.
Kitty - she is wonderful, and amazingly I think she thinks I am too!
MJ - Oh, dear. Am just the same sort of mother... note to self also... be a better one!
MW - Now that is awful for you, so why don't you share mine. Her heart is definitely big enough. Hugs. x

wonderwoman said...

what a lovely post and a smashing mum!!!

xx

Anonymous said...

What a lovely post. There's nothing like a mother to brighten ones day.

CJ xx

Humdrum Mum said...

So that's where you get your storytelling skills and eye for detail from! -HMx

trash said...

I think I might love your mother a little bit now too.