By NATALIA HAWK
Want to know a secret?
I like to act all tough and independent, but really – the first thing I do when anything goes wrong is run to my mum.
It’s fortunate that I live with her, because this makes it quite straightforward to complain to her whenever I see fit. And even if I’m not at home – she is the only person whose mobile number I’ve memorised (sorry boyfriend) and I call or text her whenever anything’s gone astray. Plane delayed, stuck in traffic jam, difficult uni tutorial… anything.
She usually takes the opportunity to lecture me on how much socialising I do (too much) and how many hours of sleep I get (not enough), but what are mums for if they can’t mention your wellbeing at least six hundred times per conversation?
There are not enough words I can use or examples I can give to explain just how amazing she is – and I think that’s the case with most mums. They do so much for us that we simply can’t thank them enough for.
I asked the Mamamia editorial team to play the Appreciation Game and share their own favourite memories of their mothers – or, if they couldn’t think of a specific memory, their favourite thing about their mums…
Jamila Rizvi, Editor
During my final university exams, I moved back home – away from the noise and fun of my housemates – so I could concentrate on cramming. The night before my final (and 3 hour) law exam, I got so anxious I couldn’t sleep. I was totally overwhelmed by the idea if was almost over and I woke my mum up at 5am, teary and exhausted. She sat with me while I slept a few more hours, then made me breakfast and pulled me away from the books and made me walk to the lake and feed the ducks. Then she gave me a glass of wine and sent me to my exam. I did fine and was reminded of my amazing mum’s special brand of wisdom: “Nothing is the end of the world, take your time and everything will work out”.
Top Comments
My mum was amazing. My favourite moment (amongst so so many) was just after she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was lying in bed. So very sick, and asked me to take her up to the hospital.
This request terrified me as years of dialysis, transplant and other health problems had given her a hatred of hospitals.
I burst into tears.
I sat next to her bed, and held her hand.
She stroked my hand, and my head and whispered how much she loved me and how proud she was of me.
She was so sick, and still so strong.
My mum and I have a fantastic relationship, I honestly don't know what I would do without her. My favourite moment with my mum was when my daughter was born. She was there during my whole labour. In the end I needed a c-section. My fiancee came to theatre with me while mum paced the halls. After baby was born we were taken to recovery. The room was empty so they let mum come in. I will never forget her running towards me, the look on her face as she met her first grand baby. We all cried. That moment will stay with me forever.