Thanks Mum!

My mother passed away 4 years ago. We lived in Australia, she in New Zealand. I couldn’t get to the funeral as we were going to Africa and there wasn’t enough time to get there and back. I remember watching the service on YouTube in Nairobi. Mum had been unwell for some time but that doesn’t make it any easier.

My mother wasn’t the type that you had coffee dates with. In fact she was glued to her soapies on TV and we had to book taking our kids around for a visit in between. While she wasn’t the grandmotherly type, there were some cool things she did. She loved knitting little kids cardigans and jumpers. They came with complimentary dolls clothes - very cute indeed.

My mother wasn’t the greatest cook in the world. I still have strong memories of this curried chicken that was so hot none of us could eat it, but she could make great pavlovas. Hey, if they flatten you just throw more whipped cream on them!

Mum and Me

A mother is a special and influential person. She can often make or break a family. She’s there with the kids when they are unwell, at school report nights, baking for some school fundraiser and making sure everyone has enough clean clothes for the trip away. This is not taking away from dad’s, especially those who are raising kids by themselves – they work jolly hard.

For many of the sponsored children within our programs, their mother is the only parent they have. For some, they are not only looking after their immediate children, but others who are dumped at their doorway.

We honour them as we head into Mothers Day this Sunday.

They won’t be taken out to lunch at a café nor given a bunch of flowers but they have the joy of being able to have a meal a day. They know their children are enrolled in school, something they didn’t get the opportunity to do. They also know their family as a social worker assisting them in times of crisis.

My own mother struggled through life, battling cancer and the early death of her husband. She raised 4 teenagers by herself – no mean feat.

This week, let’s give honour and respect to our own mothers, grandmothers, aunties or guardians who raised us the best that they knew how. They may not have been perfect, but they tried.

Let’s also remember the millions of mothers in developing countries who walk 7 kilometres a day to collect water or to take their children to a medical centre. They do 75% of the work in the household and in the fields around their home. They weave baskets to be sold for $2, taking them days to make – just to pay school fees. They go without, so their children can have.

Remember to say thanks to your mother this week – our Mum’s are special.

Another Sharon and her Mum

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...
Strength and honour are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
~Proverbs 31:10, 25-30