Three cheers for my mum

As it's Mothering Sunday, today I want to pay tribute to my mum. Over the years she's taught me so much. Many people struggle to find examples of strong, independent female role models, but I'm lucky enough to have one for my mum. My mum isn't perfect, and neither am I. Sometimes we fight like cat and dog. On some topics we just cannot see eye to eye. But there are lots of things I love about my mum, and many reasons why I'm endlessly proud of her. Here's why...



My mum is strong
In the mid to late 90s my mum was a single mum with two teenage daughters. She worked full-time as a nurse while also doing a part-time degree to further her career. Times were tough, but she never let it get her down. My mum is a chatty, good humoured woman. She doesn't moan about her lot, preferring instead to just get on with it.

My mum is wise
My mum always gives good advice. It's not always what you want to hear, but she knows how to tell you the hard truths. My mum is a good judge of character. My mum always wins at Trivial Pursuit. She can tell you what kind of bird song you're listening too. She knows the names of all kinds of plants. My mum understands how the body works and is my first port of call when I'm feeling unwell. My mum is very, very clever.

My mum is diligent
As a single parent, my mum worked her socks off to keep us afloat. She was savvy with her spending, and would forego many little luxuries in order to afford her one true passion in life: horses. Every morning (and even now in her retirement) she would be up at the crack of dawn mucking out the horse and doing the housework before going to work. When I was younger she was an A&E nurse, often working 12-hour shifts on her feet without a break, and she'd still find the energy to keep everything going at home.

My mum is brave
When my mum retired she made her dream come true. She did the bravest thing I've ever known and sold her house and moved to France. She took French lessons and moved to an area where no one speaks English. She made friends with the local community. She bought chickens and ducks. She managed everything herself, including the renovations to her home.

My mum is independent
My mum has been single since I was 11, and is perfectly happy. She has plenty of friends, she's socially active and doesn't hesitate to throw herself into the thick of things. My mum can use a power drill. She can change a plug. She will merrily drive around in her big 4X4 towing a horse trailer. My mum lifts hay bales and drives a tractor. She only asks for help if she absolutely needs it, but she gives it a bloody good go first.

My mum inspires me
My mum is a strong, independent woman who loves life. She didn't always have things easy, but she loves life, and embraces it with two strong arms. My mum inspires me to be strong, to not let people take me for granted. She inspires me to rely on myself, and not others. She inspires me to reach for my dreams and make them happen. My mum is a 'doer'.

Three cheers for my mum! And three cheers for yours too :)

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