A Mother’s Love

To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power.
~ Maya Angelou

Fifteen years ago, if anyone would have said to me that my mother would become one of my favourite people, I would have laughed hysterically. During my formative, impressionable years, our relationship was strained and being a typical teenager, most of the advice I was given was usually met with some kind of mumbling and slamming of doors on my part. Needless to say, hindsight is a wonderful characteristic to possess and now that I am on the receiving end of slammed doors and eye rolling from my own pre-teen daughter, I can fully appreciate the sufferings and effort made by my mother.

This weekend, I found myself having precious quality time with my mother and aunt, both of whom are selfless, strong, independent women. Between several cups of tea and cake, we reminisced about old times and laughed at family photos taken over the years. During this laughing session, my daughter joined us and three generations of women with stories stretching through the evening, was shared. It was priceless. What I have learnt is that the relationship a woman possesses with influential women within her own family is absolutely critical for self-realisation and evolution. If you are fortunate enough to have a good relationship with your mother or a mother figure, you are infinitely blessed. Motherhood is not about biology. It is simply forging a relationship with an older woman who imparts wisdom and love and life lessons abundantly, something that can only be appreciated when you are older.

To my mum, thank you for the love you give me in abundance, for the advice you give me generously on every topic under the sun – sex included ? – for the fun times we share, for being my enabler when I don’t want to diet, for being my biggest critic and greatest fan, for making me see the wood from the trees, for teaching me humility and compassion and most of all, for being non-judgmental when I make a mistake. You truly are a gem and I am honoured to call myself your daughter.