mumma's day 2011

I'm not a hallmark card-carrying sucker for artificially created gift-giving moments.... so today was not a day filled with expensive gifts and gestures - and anyway -  there's no way I could possibly give my mumma what she deserves. You see - I happen to have the world's very best mumma...

mummy and me - cobargo debutante's ball - 1971**

mummy is wearing a red and glittery silver tight mini dress with long glittery silver gloves

corrrrrr - what a looka!
mini me is wearing a look of total adoration....

Growing up I didn't always appreciate my mumma's special qualities. My mum worked full time (in a town and a time when NO mothers had a job outside the home) Not that this was her choice - and no, it wasn't because she was pursuing a glorious profession or career - my mum worked 6 days a week packing shelves and serving customers in my grandparents general store. More than anything in the world my mum wanted to be a full-time stay-at-home, bake-the-dinner, clean-the-house, make-everything-from-scratch MOTHER..... instead.... for most of my early childhood, my mum was the family's main breadwinner. On top of her very physical job, mum helped on the family farm, and helped to care for her parents, she did all our family's cooking, cleaning and housework,  she knitted, crocheted and sewed almost all our clothes and STILL found the time and energy to cook and volunteer her time with almost every community group you can think of.

My mumma is a spectacular baker of cakes and slices, a meticulous crafter (you name the craft - she will be just about the best you've ever seen), and in her youth was an incredible athlete (she was the fastest runner in the district ... ever.... and at 15 years old, she almost equalled the Australian record for 100 yards). Yet she's very modest and has the incredible ability to understand and empathise with all people. She can strike up a conversation anywhere and in a heart-beat will make life-long friends. She's really quite amazing - in an understated, under-rated kind of way. I always say - if you want to see what selfless giving and unconditional love look like - it's my mumma! (oh and she's also beautiful and brave, hardworking and strong, super sweet and kind, generous and loyal, tiny and terrific!)

My mumma is without a doubt the world's best mumma (a completely unbiased opinion of course. My mumma is my hero.

I am fortunate that we only live a few kilometres apart and I either see or speak with her almost every day. I can't imagine life without her.


I wish everyone had a mum like mine.

**Even though this piccie is 40 years old - everyone would still be able to recognise my mummy: she has the same hair style and colour (with only a couple of grey strands.... unbelievable) and could probably still squeeze into this tiny dress (unbelievable)