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