***This promoted giveaway was kindly provided by Fresh Flowers. As always, all opinions are my own***
Being a daddy’s girl through and through, it’s taken a lifetime to be able to say with confidence that I’m close to my mother.
But as we know, it takes to build a relationship. For those who know her, she’s a tough nut to break. Likewise, there have no doubt been moments when she would’ve liked me to throw her a tiny spotlight into my private world.
As a young adult with a highflying corporate career living overseas, there were 3 topics I made sure were off limits with mother dearest:
- My financial status
- My love life
- My career
Yeah. Call me harsh.
But I just couldn’t deal with the constant pressure that comes with being the only daughter of a highly strung Asian mother.
I had only ever introduced my mother to one boyfriend prior to Mr Surfer.
Biggest mistake of my life. Ever.
When we broke up, she would call ME up CRYING.
“Have you spoken to him”
“Do you think he misses you?”
“Are you back together?”
Ah, no. No. And for the love of moving on in life, mother… NO!
When people would tell me that I would only appreciate my mother until I became one myself, I couldn’t help but be sceptical.
First of all, the body clock was ticking fast so I didn’t think I’d ever get to being a mum, anyway.
Above all, it sounded too much like a cliché. Something read in a Hallmark card…then barfed.
However, I did find myself pregnant. High risk with twins at that.
I remember being raced to hospital at 30 weeks, bleeding. My parents dropped everything that day to drive 3 and a half hours to see me.
As soon as she walked into the room, I hugged her and cried and cried.
I had never been so scared in my entire life. My babies were in danger and not even my own husband could ease my fear.
Burying my head deep in her shoulders, holding her in the tightest grip I ever had in my life, she kissed my forehead.
“See…this is what it’s like to be a mother. This constant worry. This love, “ she whispered.
For all the cynical times, the moments I shut her out, the silly arguments we had, that’s when I really knew: she loved me. Unconditionally. In her own special way. The way she knew best.
My mum’s 80 this year. Old age doesn’t make her any more tolerable. She still nags like there’s no tomorrow.
But finally I’ve allowed myself to feel her love for me. With the years left, I want to soak it all in.
I want her to know that so much of me – the sense of independence, feistiness, tenacity – all of that is what she’s taught me.
I want her to know how much I appreciate her.
To commemorate Mother’s Day, I have a $50 Westfield Gift Voucher up for grabs!
All you have to do is:
- Click here, then leave a comment on this post telling me which one of the lovely bouquets is your favourite and why.
- Subscribe to With Some Grace by Email
Terms and Conditions:
- This giveaway is only open to Australian residents
- Closing date for entries is 10pm AEST Thursday, 3rd of April.
- The winner will be contacted via email on the following Friday.
- If the winner does not reply to my email within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen.
- Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winner will be final.