***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.
Deb @ Bright and Precious says
What a beautiful post! I don’t want to win flowers, I just wanted to tell you how gorgeous your mum’s words were. And that picture! So moving . xx
Deb @ Bright and Precious recently posted..A Kitchen – Renovations Part 3
Vicky says
Beautiful authentic post. Love it.
Sam Stone (@A Life on Venus) says
A mother/daughter relationship is hard. My mum and I are the best of friends but we also clash. I am not sure if we are too alike or too different??
Sam Stone (@A Life on Venus) recently posted..Gettin’ my bake on – Carrot Cookies
Caitlin says
Wow, that really is a beautiful post recognising that love transcends our hurts and differences. I hope you have a wonderful mothers day with your mother. As for the flowers, they are truly beautiful. I was tempted to say that Tickled Pink is my favourite, because it has the flowers that were in my wedding bouquet, but I just can’t ignore Sweet Love. Oh my, such a large arrangement of beautiful roses is stunning!
Caitlin recently posted..The Mummy Tummy of a Yummy Mummy – Or – How to Hide your Mummy Tummy
Lauren @ Create bake make says
Beautiful words Grace. My Mum and I have always been pretty close, but it was also when I became a Mum that our bond strengthened further. She was the one person I wanted with me at the hospital (along with my husband) after our babies died. Again, beautifully written. Thank you for sharing x
Lauren @ Create bake make recently posted..Letting go – Conversations with Expectation
Lydia C. Lee says
In Vogue Pink, if they were for me, because of the smell but my mum would love the purple Orchids – they’ve always been her favourites since she married in Singapore!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Conversations with Expectations
Robyn (Mrs D) says
Never mind the flowers this post has lefte with tears streaming down my cheeks. In a good way though! So beautiful Grace xxx
Robyn (Mrs D) recently posted..How to be a great mum
karina lee says
I love Tickled Pink! It’s such a nice arrangement of pink and white flowers!
Alicia O'Brien says
My favorite is the gorgeous white singapore orchids. I had those in my wedding bouquet and they were the button holes for the blokes too 🙂
The worry and love of a mother is never ending, they are to be cherished for sure xx
Alicia O’Brien recently posted..Something old
Emily says
What a beautiful post. And absolutely. It’s ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ all over again. I used to get annoyed that the dad just never let the kid win. But now I get it. He wins. He loves more. It’s true.
I’m not a flower lover usually, but that In Vogue Pink bunch looks lovely. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
Emily recently posted..Children’s book review – March
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
The Country Rose is my pick because it reminds me of when I was a little girl growing up on the farm with my parents, we had roses, it was NZ, it was cold, but they thrived. I suppose it’s a little like the relationship I had with my mum, it wasn’t too cold but it was chilly, but as we grew it thrived because I realised that she would support me no matter what. In saying that, she can still nag, criticise and make suggestions with the best of them!! Love these photos Mama G xx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Six years ago today my life changed forever…
melanie w says
Beautiful post!
I am loving the Thanks Mum bouquet as it reminds me of my mum the flowers in her much loved garden and her country style she would just adore this bouquet too :0)
Becc says
There is just something about purple orchids that do it for me every time. The colour just pops in my Mum’s lounge room.
Becc recently posted..Lucky Gold Coin
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me says
Oh Grace. I felt like I was right there at the hospital with you. I’m so glad you’ve decided to let your mum in. Parents can drive you freaking crazy, but personally I know I would be lost without mine. I love the purple phaelonpsis. (Should have checked the spelling:) ).
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Conversations with expectations
kirri says
Just wanted to pop in and give you a hug for such a heartfelt post xx
kirri recently posted..Do you have trouble letting go?
Elise (@mummyhearts) says
I love the Fun Carousel! I can’t imagine why they are in the baby category, because to get such a delightfully arranged, pop of bright colour on my birthday or other special occassion would make my day. I love display of roses across the colour spectrum, simply gorgeous. Love your post about mum xx
Elise (@mummyhearts) recently posted..Cruising Insights – The Carnival Spirit Weekend Shortie
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
Beautiful post. I have a similar relationship with my mum – I love her but we don’t share absolutely everything. Having said that, she dropped everything and came down here last week to help me while I was still banned from driving after my TIA. She’s also offered to come back this week as I’m still crook, this time with an URTI. God bless all our mums! BTW I LOVE the Tickled Pink arrangement – something about the hessian bag sings to me… 😉
Kirsty @ My Home Truths recently posted..Has it REALLY been ten years…
Pinky Poinker says
We don’t have a Westfield so I won’t comment on the flowers but I will say that post brought a tear to my eye. I have a similar relationship with my Mum but I seem to hear her words coming out of my mouth more and more every day.
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Is Pinky a Bogan?
Kim says
I love te blissful days and friendly days. When I was a kid my Pop used to grow Chrysanthemums in his front yard, and Mother’s Day was always about those flowers. My sister and I would pick bunches and give them to my Mum and Nan and they would always act surprised!
Kim says
I am subscribed too
Jennifer B. says
It’s “Heavenly Lilies” for me… quietly elegant against any backdrop and with a stunning perfume that will linger for days.
Carolyn K says
Absolutely beautiful post. I hope I will share a special and unique relationship with each of my daughters as they grow into women. I love the Purple Phalaenopsis Orchid – simple, but striking and unique.
Melissa Jones says
Adore Heavenly Lilies which are my mum’s favourite flowers too. When I become a mum, I start to understand what motherhood is and what unconditional love is. I can feel what my mum felt when she gave birth to me and I know how hard she raised me up. Your story with your mum reminds me of my mum. Like most mums, they’re the greatest women in the world!
Val C. says
My mother has been gone 40 years this year but she loved colour and would have adored the Country Rose bouquet, I’ll give her one in my dreams!
Charlotte says
Oh I just love the Tickled Pink bouquet… unlike you I am not as close to my dad, my mum is everything and my best friend! I have a brother so my mum and I stick together as the girls of the house, so this pretty bouquet with its pastel blooms is something I would really consider giving her to show how much she means to me.
Thanks for the chance, would love to spoil my mum with a shop at Westfield! I am already a subscriber 🙂 x
Karla Oleinikoff says
Country Rose. My mum adores beautiful flowers, and these are absolutely stunning. Just perfect to give to someone to show how much you care.
Stacey Shailer says
Blissful Days, as white chrysanthemums were my late Nanna’s favourite and we’d buy her a bunch every Mother’s Day, just looking at them reminds me of her so much!
Michelle Gray says
I love the Personalised Mug – Pink Roses, what a beautiful gift to cherish.