| She became a Mother when she gave birth to a | | | | work. I am totally and completely spoiled by |
| girl child in a British Military Hospital in | | | | this woman. |
| post war Germany. When she arrived at the | | | | |
| front steps of the hospital with her husband | | | | When I was sad after a wonderful man in my |
| in tow, the very efficient British Matron met | | | | life died in 1998, Mom walked beside me every |
| them and crisply announced in her clipped | | | | step of the way. She would give me flowers |
| English accent - "You may dismiss your | | | | for no reason, would suggest we go out for |
| husband now please." | | | | supper "as a wee treat". She was always |
| | | | there with soothing words, hugs and support. |
| Then, because the Military Hospital was not | | | | She put up with my moods, my tears, my drama |
| set up for Obstetrics, the soon-to-be new Mom | | | | and my self centered pity parties. When I |
| was whisked off to a cell-like room and left | | | | was unable to love or even like myself, she |
| to endure the remainder of her labour, | | | | was there for me. |
| alone. Every now and then a nurse would pop | | | | |
| in to see how things were going. A few hours | | | | Sometimes, I'd mysteriously find $10 or $20 |
| later, a girl child was born weighing 6 lbs | | | | in my purse or coat pocket. I'd ask her if |
| 11 oz. That girl child was me. | | | | she had done this and she'd respond with a |
| | | | look of feigned surprise and innocence and |
| The wonderful wee Irish woman who is my Mom | | | | say "my goodness, no dear!" She knows how |
| is an amazing person. At the age of 12 she | | | | to be helpful and still allow me to keep my |
| lost her Dad and the following year during a | | | | pride intact. She takes being thoughtful to |
| bombing raid, her family's home in Belfast, | | | | a whole new level. |
| Northern Ireland was reduced to rubble. | | | | |
| Showing the courage and fortitude that was to | | | | Mom and I have the type of relationship where |
| be her trademark for the rest of her life, | | | | eye contact is all that is needed and we know |
| she became the family's strength. She worked | | | | what the other is thinking. This can be |
| during the day and went to school at night. | | | | dangerous as we have the same quirky sense of |
| She made sure everything was taken care of. | | | | humour. There have been times when our eyes |
| She's been doing that with everyone she loves | | | | have met in a social situation and we both |
| ever since. | | | | have had to stifle the laughter that is |
| | | | begging to be released. |
| I moved back to B.C. after my marriage ended, | | | | |
| thinking I'd be a support to my dear Mom. | | | | I thank Mom as much as I can for the joy, the |
| Little did I know that the tables would turn | | | | love, the kindness, the thoughtfulness, the |
| and it would be Mom who would be my rock. | | | | warmth, the acceptance, the treats, the |
| | | | truth, the hugs, the caring, the food, the |
| When I had a challenging time finding work | | | | worrying, the nursing, the wisdom, the |
| and began to feel like I was not worthy, my | | | | helpfulness, the doggy daycare, the advice, |
| Mom was there cheering me on. "They think | | | | the humour and for being her wonderful giving |
| you are over qualified. Well, it's their | | | | self. She is the epitome of kindness and |
| loss." would be her comment. | | | | love. |
| | | | |
| When I moved to a polluted little town to | | | | As both my best friend and my Mom, she has |
| sell a tacky housing project and then left | | | | taught me the true meaning of unconditional |
| because I couldn't breathe the air, Mom said | | | | love and her love has sustained me on many |
| "Well, it wasn't good for you anyway. You're | | | | occasions. Words cannot adequately express |
| better off away from there". | | | | the gratitude and the love I feel for her. |
| | | | |
| When I've been too sick to go to work, | | | | There is a saying that we do not get to |
| homemade chicken soup, ginger ale and other | | | | choose our parents. I feel so blessed, |
| food magically appears on my doorstep. Mom | | | | because I got that special one in a million. |
| looks after my pooch (doggy daycare) while I | | | | |