May 14, 2006

Mothering Son's Day


P1000584
Originally uploaded by billyjoebob.
It wasn't so long ago, punkin, that I saw Mother's Day as, frankly, a bit of a lark.

Sure thing, I thought, get a lie in on a Sunday, breakfast in bed, flowers, chocolates, presents, the whole bit. And this, punkin, this for, well, for practically nothing! I mean, how hard is it to look after a kid??

The answer, punkin, is incredibly. And I think that, even if the kid doesn't know it, that the next 25 years of Mother's Days are really to say thankyou for the first couple of years of being a mum.

I don't think, before we had you, that I had any inkling of the reserves of strength and perseverance that your mum has. I don't think that I have ever seen somebody work so hard and so long at something so wonderful. To watch you grow under her gaze, to see her shepherd you ever so gently while you take your first steps, to be there when she feeds you. This, punkin is the stuff of legend. This is the reason Mother's Day exists.

You should know now, if you don't already, that your mother will be there like this for the rest of time immemorial. That she'll catch you when you're falling, or pick you up after you do. She'll back you up, time and time again, even when you're being belligerent beyond all reason. Your mum, kid, is On Your Side.

So to you, Evey,

and to Mum, Ann, Sue, Jann, Grandma, Nana & Fiona,

to Renee, to Rae, to Caz, to Kelly & Monica, to Wendy & Fiona, to Tealou & Martie, to Sarah & Neisha, and everyone else I've forgotteen because it's 8am on a Sunday,


Happy Mother's Day.

1 comment:

RowdyLibrarian said...

Good Morning My Darling Abraham William,

Yes you are a lucky boy. Your Mum loves you, and will until forever. Having observed a lot of mums in my time, I can confirm that she is, in fact one out of the box. It has been one of the greatest pleasures in my life to watch your parents and see what a wonderful job they are doing.

And further, I can confirm that your mum will always love you as much as she does today. It's a strange thing, and one that a person doesn't actually realise (or perhaps other people did know this, and I'm just slow), but the way you feel about your children actually doesn't change much over thirty or so years. The way you show that love changes, and they don't require as much day to day maintenance, but it's still there. I get just a much of a kick out of seeing that goofy grin of your dads as he gets out of seeing your toothy grin.

The really hard part Brambill comes when you have to stand back and watch your children fall, knowing they are going to fall, and unable to stop the inevitable. Parenting never stops being the hardest and most rewarding job in the world, and I for one think your mum deserves a morning in bed, a flower or two and a nice cup of tea!

One of the things that I don't like about being over here in Maine while you are in Melbourne is that I haven't got to know your mum as well as I would like to. We are doing as good a job as we can long distance, but I am looking forward to the time when we can go for a walk together (with or without you), discuss where to get the best (fill in the blank) at the best price, and she can educate me about the latest and greatest in films, and writing and especially about the whole graphic writing thingy.

Your Grandad Phil and I are working on the getting closer bit, but until then you will have to give your mum all of the hugs we are sending her.

And I join your dad in wishing all of the mothers where ever they are a happy mother's day. Especially the mothers who can't actually hug their kids.

I love you Abraham William, and I love your wonderful mother.