Relationships with friends and partners are never easy, but you can always part ways and never look back. However, relationships with family members are more complicated.
I never agreed with my mom that ‘blood is thicker than water’, but if I have learned anything during my time at university, I am fortunate to have the mom I have. Our love is not unconditional, no matter how many times she says it, and it is not measured by the number of times we say ‘I love you’, though I should say it more often.
However, it is there. It is there when we complain about shopping, on the freshly microwaved popcorn on Friday nights, in the morning coffee and the rewatches of Gilmore Girls. There is no one I rather call during the noon coffee break to gossip about friends and family and complain about life with than my mom, who is always there to listen (and do the same thing).
I must say, no one calls me dumb or clumsy more than my mom, but that is fine because she knows she gave me all the smart genes she had. And, while she may not be the best cook, she made sure I was well provided while growing up and read me ‘The Jade Queen’ and mystery thrillers to sleep.
In the words of Rory Gilmore: “My mother never gave me any idea that I couldn’t do whatever I wanted to do or be whomever I wanted to be […] I don’t know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be, was her.” - Alex Gervas
My Mum is very special to me. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like this, but every time I think of Mum, I feel incredibly blessed. She has been there for me in more ways than this small piece of writing can probably do justice; whether it’s been taking me to countless appointments (including one three-hour wait in A&E because someone at school gave me a dead arm), tucking me in bed and telling me she loves me every night when I was younger, or listening to me whine about whichever boy I was currently obsessing over. I’m very lucky to have a Mum that I can lean on, who I know will always be there to support me, in whatever way I need that to be.
I’m the youngest of six, and Mum has been looking after us all on her own for 13 years now. When I say that she is a special lady, I mean it. I admire her in so many ways; not only is she the strongest person I know, she is sweet, kind, generous, and thoughtful. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate everything she does for us; every single Christmas, birthday, holiday, has been so special because of the effort she goes to to make us happy. If my Mum has taught me anything, it’s to appreciate the little things, and do the things that you love more often. For her, this is sitting on the sofa watching This Morning with a cup of tea. Don’t ever change Mum! Happy Mother’s Day! - Katie Sims
Featured image: The HK Photo Company
