Honouring our mothers (and mother figures)

As it’s Mother’s Day, I thought I would talk a bit about honouring our mothers and mother figures today.

I’m lucky. My relationship with my mum is pretty spot on. We get on, we chat – we’re friends. But I know not everyone has this. I know people who have lost their mothers. Some have a difficult relationship with them.

So, on days like today when everyone is shouting about how wonderful their mothers are – what can you do?

I like to think mothers day isn’t necessarily just for biological mothers. I think it should be a day when you can look around, see just who is supporting you and say thank you.

If your mum is around, go for coffee and talk. Talk about when you were born, what your mother went through, how it made her feel. Nobody’s perfect and being a mum is, I imagine, not all fun and games. Acknowledge this and, if you can, honour it. Honour it with a thank you, a gesture – no matter how small.

If your mother is no longer in this world (getting spiritual here guys), give her some good thoughts. Remember what she taught you when she was here and what life lessons you have learnt. Look to the mother figures in your life and reach out to say thank you (even if it’s your dad).

If you have a difficult relationship with her, think about what she’s teaching you. Even if it’s a lesson in how not to parent… And of course if you can find forgiveness and compassion in your heart, let it show.

And above all else, remember that all these ‘days’ are made up by greeting card companies and don’t have to mean jack shit if you don’t want them to.

I like being able to share my gratitude with my mum today, because I know I’m terrible at doing it any other day, so mum, I know you’re reading this…

Thank you. Thank you for all you do for our family, for supporting us, holding us together and of course for bringing us into the world. We know you’ll always be there for us and that knowledge is more than anyone could ever ask for.