Mother's Day

Today I led a Mother's Day Memorial Service for families who lost their mothers over the last year. I was my mum's birthday the day I was  asked to be the celebrant for the memorial and as I wrote the service she was on my mind. I hope that she would have been proud of what I said today. 

Mother's Day can be a day of mixed emotions, especially for those whose mothers have died or those who have experienced the loss of a baby or child or those whose relationship with their mother is fraught. Almost 29 years ago our second daughter Jessica was stillborn and 15 years ago Mum died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 71. Each Mother's Day I think of them and I miss them.

I am very lucky though to have my two daughters Emma and Michelle and now my granddaughter Isabelle who is an absolute delight, each of whom I celebrated today. I  have many wonderful friends who are great mothers and whose children and grandchildren I also celebrate. So a big shout out to the mothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, mother figures and especially bereaved mothers who deserve to be honoured not only today but everyday for all that they do.

In the words of Jill Churchill, There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one and I like to think we all try to do our best and that's the best we can do!