I wrote last week of the important role teachers play in shaping our lives, but no-one has more influence for most of us than our parents.
This Sunday, we honour mums on Mother’s Day. While it has become very over-commercialised, with flowers, chocolates and presents, the theme is one I really embrace. I lost my mother, Millie, 30 years ago and I still miss her. I find it sad my sons, Beau and Hayden, never got to meet her. My mum didn’t work until I went to high school so she was there everyday when I got home with a snack and a truckload of questions about my day.
Mothers, and fathers for that matter, hold a unique position in society. You only get one (of each), there are no replacements, no trading in for a new model. They are not perfect, they can be embarrassing and unpredictable.
How many women reading this now can honestly say they have not experienced that moment when they say something to their children and, as the words cascade out of their mouths, they are horrified to realise they are becoming something they promised themselves would never happen? They sound just like their own mother.
From my friends on social media, I have gathered a collection of expressions – let’s call them a
Murder of Motherisms – starting with my mother’s old chestnut, which had to be a result of her Catholic upbringing:
“Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.” “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.” “Wait ‘til your father gets home.” “Go ask you father.” “Turn off those lights, this joint is lit up like the MCG.”
Mothers also have that wonderful subtle use of your entire name to emphasise that you are in big trouble.
Whenever I heard “Kevin Phillip Hillier, get in here”, I knew it was not going to be ice cream and jelly.
This Sunday I hope my children will celebrate how lucky they are to have their mother with them. Your comments are welcome but, if I don’t like them, I may have to wash your mouth out with soap.
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