On Mothers’ Day, I’m remembering how exciting it was as a child to celebrate my special Mom.
You were always my heroine, so pretty, chic and very clever. You taught me so much from a very young age. My love of music was nurtured because of your encouragement, and even though you had never learned to play an instrument, you were determined to give me the chance even though the cost of piano lessons was quite a sacrifice on your tight budget. You worked so hard at many menial jobs in order to supplement the family income, and yet still found the time to make my sister and I the most gorgeous clothes, often sitting at your sewing machine late into the night. I’ll never forget the Sunday School Anniversary dresses you sewed, especially the blue flocked one with the enormous navy bow at the back, which made it very difficult for us to sit down. Your daughters always had to be the smartest on the block, and I guess that’s why you insisted on the hats as the finishing touch. How we loathed wearing those feather hats, and also the ones that looked like a couple of beige blancmanges, but I’ve long since forgiven you. You were very brave in the hat-stakes yourself, and I remember that you were mortified, when at church one Sunday, our oldest member called out very loudly, “Vera, I like your new hat, but that feather makes you look just like Robin Hood.”
There always seemed to be just enough money to take us on a seaside holiday once a year, but only because of your thriftiness. Nothing was wasted in our house, and you somehow found the time to make all your own jams and pickles with fruit and vegetables harvested from dad’s garden. Coming home from school on cold winter days in England, I knew that there would always be a good fire going in the hearth, and toast or muffins with homemade strawberry jam to warm me up. You cajoled me into eating my vegetables, even brussel sprouts, with the promise that they were going to make my hair curl. I forgive you for that little white lie, but only because you made the best apple pies in the world.
I have so many wonderful memories of you. It was so heartbreaking to see you the way your health declined during the last two years of your life. You became so fragile and could no longer manage to stand on your own. When I took you for a walk in the garden in your wheelchair, I thought of how you used to push me in my stroller all those years ago. Our roles had somehow been reversed. You were always so dignified and independent; so strong and upright, and I longed for you to be like that once again, but as you said to me, “I just have to be content with the way things are now.” I know you wanted to tell me all sorts of things, and yet your mind just couldn’t process your thoughts and turn them into words. How frustrating this must have been for you. As we sat there trying to hold a conversation, I was really moved when Mrs. G, the lady in the chair next to you, rousing a little from her slumbers, reached her hand over the arm of the chair until it found yours. She didn’t even open her eyes but grasped your hand so tightly, and as you stroked her fingers I saw a glimmer of a smile on her face, probably remembering a time in the past when she had someone’s hand to hold, maybe a husband or even a child. She never had visitors, but I’m sure that your cool touch that day brought comfort to her heart and she felt loved, just as it used to for me when I was a child.
Mom thank you for everything you did for me. You are loved so much and will always be in my heart.
Such a beautiful, precious and moving tribute to your dear mother Sylvia. Much love and big hugs to you my dear friend … ❤
This is so beautiful. Much love to you! ❤
so beautifully poignant! Memories!! I miss my mom too!
Such a lovely post about a very special woman in your life and your heart. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading, Judy. xx
lovely tribute Sylvia. Love the photos too
You write her so well…a beautiful tribute, Sylvia. My own mum has always been a tough one too, fending for herself and for me, her only child. I can see her in your words…And now, she is going down the same road, not remembering, not being able to explain. Losing her stamina and her upright figure. We used to walk miles and miles together with backpacks, just two years ago. She can still walk, but has lost her self confidence and become insecure and keeps asking the same questions again and again. When you describe the agony of seeing your mother like this…I cry a bit myself. Thank you for writing about you and your mother.
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day here in Sweden. I am glad you are enjoying your time with friends and relatives.
Happy Mother’s Day to you and your dear mum. The memories of when our mums were strong and agile are so precious. I like to remember mine as she was in happier times. xx
Like Jo, I must have missed this in my reader. So poignant and so touching.
Just the type of post to choke me up on a Saturday morning.
Beautiful piece, Sylvia,
Thanks so much for reading, Ark. I hope it also made you smile, just a little. Happy weekend. 🙂
It did …
I must have seen this in the reader and not paused to read it, Ad. I’m sorry because it is such a beautiful tribute and I recognise many of the things you say in my own Mam. (though not the feathered hat 🙂 ) The hours sewing, the menial jobs… I don’t think mine was happy in the last years of her life and I often recognise the melancholy. Missing you, Ad. Are you in South Africa at present? Take good care of yourself.
Thanks so much for reading, Jo. Your Mam sounds very precious too. 😘 Yes, I’m in South Africa for the next three weeks, then heading to England. Haven’t even unpacked my laptop yet. Having such a great time with family and friends. 😃
That’s good to hear and the way it should be. 🙂
What a lovely tribute to your Mom – you describe her so well and your love for her shines through.
Thanks so much for reading, Annette. She was very special.
Such a handwarming tribute to your mam,It brings tears in my eyes.
Thanks, Marylou. She was a very good mom to my sister and I. 😘
Sylvia so sorry I am late to this heart tugging post. I have been away visiting my own sweet Mom and we had such a lovely time. As she ages I am acutely aware that the times are that more precious. Your Mom sounds like such a wonderful person and I recall many of your posts where your love of her shines through. Sending big hugs. Xo
Thanks so much, Sue. I’m so happy that you have been enjoying time with your dear Mom. We really need to treasure these times, as one day these will be precious memories. xx
what a beautiful tribute Sylvia . every one should know that kind of love. you are rich with memories. Happy Mothers day.. a bit late.XX
Such a lovely tribute to your mother. Mothers are special, aren’t they! And it seems your mother was really lovely.
Thanks so much, Otto. Yes, she was. 🙂
What a lovely tribute to your mum. She sounds so similar to mine, doing so many things herself and made it homely for the family. It is lovely to remember the days we were young and our mums helped us and fed us and was always there for us. Love them!
That’s lovely, Ute, having a mum who was similar to mine. 🙂 xx
Such a sweet tribute!
Thanks so much, Fi. 🙂
That’s such a lovely and heartwarming tribute to your Mum. I was 26 when my Mum passed. I would have loved to see her grow old, but at the same time I can see how hard it is. xx
That’s so young to lose your Mum, Ally. I was so fortunate to have mine until she was 90, but it was very hard seeing her become helpless. xx
I can imagine how hard it was to see your Mum become helpless. xx
Happy mothers day dear……..
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Lovely tribute 🙂
Such a heartfelt and loving tribute, Sylvia 💕
Thanks, Helen. 😘
What a lovely elegy, Sylvia… It brought back so many memories of my own mother. Bless you💕
Thank you so much, Marina. It’s always good to remember the love. xx
So beautiful my dear friend. XOXO – Bacon
Thanks so much, dear Bacon. xx *hugs*
From your tribute to your lovely Mother I would say that her loving touch lives on in you. Hope your Mother’s Day was wonderful.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. My mom taught me so much.
Such a beautiful tribute to your mom!!
Thanks so much, Aletta.
Great post , for your mother!
She deserves your love , thanks for introducing her with her photo…..
I , too, love her!
Thanks so much, dear Anna. She was such a darling. ❤
Beautiful tribute to your beloved mom, Sylvia. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Pawkisses 🙂 ❤
Thanks so much, dear Binky and Granny. xx 🙂
This was a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to your mother, Sylvia. Happy Mother’s Day, dear! 👑 💖 💐
Thanks so much, dear Robin. xx 🙂
Oh, thank goodness! I was afraid I hadn’t stopped by to leave a message of loving warmth and friendship for you. I am glad that I didn’t get sidetracked. . .Also how long we have managed in this war-torn, busy life to spread happy moments to each other along with keeping close with our own families. xo 😘
Wonderful words Sylvia .. & that is very much how I felt about my Mum … So hard to see a strong, loving & competent mum becoming frail…I found it so.. But how lucky we were to have a long time with our mothers.
Thanks so much, Gerrie. Yes we are very lucky indeed. 🙂
So poignant…medical professionals and volunteers aren’t the only caregivers in elder-care…your mom’s a natural. That hand-holding photo is a treasure.
Thanks, Laura. My mom had always beee a very caring person and such a good listener. She really attracted people to her.
Beautiful words and memories Sylvia. Our mothers are always in our hearts.
Thanks, Jude. Yes they are.
Memories are treasures, and you will always have your mother in your heart. Beautiful words, Sylvia.
Thanks so much, Carol. 🙂
This is a beautiful tribute to your mother, Sylvia. Sending you love and hugs xxx
Thanks so much, Dianne. She knew how very much she was loved. xx
Ahh bless you Sylvia, this is so touching. Don’t you have her eyes? x:-)x
Thanks, Gilly. I do believe that you’re right about the eyes. 🙂 xx
Lovely and loving memories of someone obviously very special.
janet
Thanks, Janet. Yes, she was very special indeed.
Wonderful words, I was moved by the things you wrote about your Mom…
Thanks, Ivana. 😘
Wonderful remembering your mother on Mother’s day. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks so much, YC.
Such a beautiful tribute to your mother, Sylvia. No doubt, she was as wonderful as her daughter. Happy Mother’s Day! xo
What a lovely comment, Jill. Thank you. 😘
What a beautiful tribute to your mother, Sylvia! A Happy Mother’s Day to you, and I am glad you have so many fond memories of your mother. 🙂
Thanks so much, Lavinia. I have this photo of her on my desk and love looking at her happy smiling face. 😍
Lovely tribute. I hope to have a chat with mom later today ~ like you mom, she can no longer find all the right words . . . but we’ll manage.
Thanks, Nancy. Yes, I’m sure you will. Treasure your mom. 😘
Ay Sylvia, you are so americanised. Am I dreaming or didn’t you send her greetings on the British mothers’ day (ie mothering sunday for real oldies!) when she was alive?
America and South Africa both celebrate Mothers’ Day today. My Mother-in-law is in England, so I wished her on Mothering Sunday.
Such a beautiful lady, and lovely tribute! ❤ Happy Mother's Day.
Thanks so much, Holly. You too. 🙂 xx
xx
So lovely Sylvia-she just adored you and your Sister so much! Love never fails! xx
Thanks so much, Cheryl. You’re so right. xx