WHAT IS A MUM?

 

What is a Mum, Mother, Mummy, Mom?

Here in the UK we've just had Mothering Sunday, a day to celebrate all mums. All women who nuture children. Whether it be their own or step children, foster children. Some women dont actually nuture. Some dont want to be mothers, each to their own. 

This blog has been inspired by me listening to podcasts whilst crafting. Today l listened to an inspriational lady whom l admire, we havent met in person but have on zoom. Lise Thorne- Walking_this_way podcaster, instagram icon for Midlife women, Money Conversationalist with her mate Adrienne. On todays pod Lisa spoke to her guest speaker Lara Milward who said her upbringing in Canada had inspired her to be who she is today. She was bought up in a world where being a girl didnt mean you couldnt do something. 

My own upbringing was kind of the same l guess!  In that my mum wasnt a tactile mum at all. She was one of 5 sisters, a twin, she lived to the ripe old age of nearly 96. She passed just 3 years ago. And yes l do miss her because she made me who l am today. 

I was and still am l think, searching, craving for that love she never gave me. She wasn't a tactile mum, she was intelligent and skilled in all things needlework. She taught me and many others how to knit, sew, crochet.  She taught me how to me because I rebelled and fought against what she wanted to be. When it came to choosing my options in school l wanted to do art because l loved art and still love crafting. But no, "she decided" I was going to do French and be a bilingual secretary!!!  

Needless to say l did not pass French because l didnt study it, because I did not want to do it.  So l didnt.!!

Over the years, I've had a variety of jobs, the last one lasted 22 years of physical grafting. But my best and most accomplished job was that of a Mum. Alone parent in the end to my 4 now adult children. 

A Mother gives life to new humans. I gave life to 4 new humans and 2 angel babies. And in turn have given or rather they've given new life to 8 new humans- 4 girls and 4 boys. 

My mum's harsh upbringing with her Irish Dad during the war years, in London, moulded her into who she became; she, in turn, moulded me into me. I'm strong, resilient, and capable. I'm a crafter, a writer, a family historian, and Grandmother-Nannie. 

I learned to be stubborn, pig-headed, and a do- er because my mum told me l couldnt do things, l wouldnt amount to anything, l wouldnt be able to achieve anything.  So l did stuff any way, l said watch me do the opposite. So maybe she did love me because I proved her wrong. Maybe her tough love was her saying she actually believed in me.  Personally l wish she'd chosen the softer approach that I believe I've used with my 4. Firm but fair. And always giving a cuddle when needed. To all 12 of my humans. 

My upbringing and experiences have shaped my humans into who they are, how they are not just with themselves but with their humans. Having the strict upbringing I had led to naivety, which went onto abusive relationships, which I've come out the other side from, because as my mum put downs pulled me down, the abusive relationships pulled me and physically put me down. I always came back stronger and more resilient. A 6ft 2in para tried to physically and mentally put me down, yet here I am still bloody standing. A lone 64-year-old independent wise crone. I've been, I am the Maiden, Mother, Warrior, Crone. ( my next tattoo)! 

So being a Mum, Mother giver of life means I am, we are, strong, resilient women who deserve and should always be celebrated.  

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY .