Today we’re celebrating Mother’s day. So what better day than to share with you all my favourite things about my mum. When I think back of everything she has ever done for me, for us, I am truly floored. What a woman.

It doesn’t matter what you have done, or to whom, but my mother will give you another chance. You can stomp on her heart, really smash it into the ground, even cut it to pieces. And it may take a little while, but she will let you back in. You can hit her, bruise her, and take away one of the things she loves most of all, she will still love you. You can be the most troubled human on this planet, but she will still take you in, put a roof over your head, and expect nothing but respect back. It takes a forgiving person to do all that, and that’s my mother. It may frustrate me sometimes, especially if I think the person doesn’t deserve it, but I have to admire her for it. I don’t think I could ever do that.

If you’re unwell, she certainly knows how to make you feel better. I have many fond memories of being sick when I was little, and being brought out into the living room, given a hot drink and some toast, and my back rubbed until I was ready to go back to bed. Just a year and a half ago when I had knee surgery, she came and visited me in the hospital and put up with my drugged out ramblings. She visited me the following day when I came home. She checked in with me every day on the phone if she couldn’t come over, and picked me up emotionally when I was feeling defeated. I had a health scare a few years back, and it was something very close to mum’s heart as it was something she had suffered herself. I know that when I wasn’t there she cried her eyes out, but when I was around she stayed strong and talked tough for me. When I’m not feeling 100%, I know exactly who I can turn to.

Mum is incredibly generous. It’s not uncommon for her to arrive at my place with some random present, usually something she saw while she was out and about and thought of me. Or she will turn up for a coffee with afternoon tea, and insist we keep the leftovers after we have had a bit with our hot drinks. If you go out for a coffee with her, you can be sure there will be arguments over who is paying the bill. She just doesn’t know how to stop giving!

And lastly, I know that she will sacrifice her own happiness for my sisters and I. When I was growing up I know she put up with some crap from my father, purely because she thought it would benefit us to have him around. She puts herself second, and wouldn’t think twice about doing it again.

She’s loving, caring and kind. She’s thoughtful, has a great sense of humour, and a pleasure to be around. She is one of the strongest women I know, and she’s my mother. I’m incredibly proud of her.

Mum, thank you. I appreciate eveything you have ever done for me. I hope that whenever you need someone I can be there for you like you have been so many times for me. You taught me how to be independent, how to stand up for myself, and the difference between right and wrong. I must say though, you missed a beat when it came to my fashion sense when I was growing up. What happened there? Where were you when I needed someone to point out that bike pants are not a universal piece of clothing, and they DON’T match with everything? Or anything for that matter.

Happy mother’s day, Mum. I love you.

Lots of love,

Kel.