WPC: Admiration – for my mum

Posted on by Miriam

When I saw this weeks Daily Post Photo Challenge on Admiration I knew straight away who I would write about – my mum.  My regular readers will know her story through The Longest Goodbye but for those who don’t know, my mum went into hospital a year ago for brain surgery and basically was never the same again.  She’s now cared for in a facility as she can no longer talk, walk or feed herself.  Her quality of life has long gone.

Here I want to remember and dedicate this post to the woman she was before the operation.  With Mothers Day being celebrated in Australia on Sunday it is my gift to her. And perhaps a bit of therapy for me.  So here I’m sharing some of my beautiful mum.

Her name is Rina.  Short for Pierina.

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Mum was born in Italy in 1928 and immigrated to Australia to marry my father when she was in her early 20s.   She couldn’t speak a word of English when she came here.  It was the beginning of a new life in a new land.  I can’t imagine the courage that would have taken.

R – real and authentic, that was my mum.  What you saw was what you got.  A kind, soft natured and generous woman who opened her home and her heart to everyone she met.  She was sensitive, not overly confident but held high morals and ingrained in us a sense of right and wrong.  Of always trying to do the right thing and treating others with respect.

I – independent and strong.  After my dad died, 17 years ago, she grieved him, for a long time.  He was the only man she loved.  Yet she got on with her life. She had good friends and neighbors.  She threw herself into life, charity work and volunteered her time. She joined a seniors gym to keep fit, she loved walking and she became part of the U3A group.

N – Nurturing and loving, to all she met, with a special place in her heart for her Grand kids. She cooked the best lasagne under the sun.  She was a wonderful cook and loved making desserts.  She gave the best hugs and was always there when I needed her.  I grew up with affection and a sense of belonging that has made me the woman I am today.

A – A role model to me. Someone I will always admire, long after she leaves our world.  Yet she is still with me, and in her fragile state still teaching me.  To be brave, strong and accepting.  She is, and always will be, the most amazing woman in my life.  I love you Mum.

She loved the great outdoors
This woman shaped me

Thank you to Deb, a talented blogger friend, who inspired me to write this post after I read her own account of her mother-in-law.  Go visit her, she’s an amazing writer.

As we go about our lives this week I wish you all love, peace of mind and happiness.  May you cherish every moment of every single day with the people in life that you love and admire the most.

Blessings to you all as you continue the journey.

120 thoughts on “WPC: Admiration – for my mum”

  4. Such a heart warming tribute to your Mom! Truly, you are blessed with an amazing and lovely woman you could always count on and look up to. Cheers to your mom! Wonderful post.

    Liked by 3 people

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  6. Such a warm, beautiful post! My mum tops my admiration list as well. And, I had a similar thought for this week’s challenge. 🙂 Hope your mum’s doing much better. It’s never easy.

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  7. I will be thinking of you and will always remember your strength. My thoughts and prayers go out to your Mom, who must also be strong, and you and your family. Hugs to you from across the oceans and continents.

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  10. I thank Deb also for encouraging you to write such beautiful and heartfelt words about your Mum. It is interesting that both you and I wrote on the same matter, but I did give it a bit of a different slant. If you have a moment, I would love it if you could drop in. Thank you for your words.

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    2. My blog is titled My Three Moms and I posted it this month. Please let me know if that works, and if not I can send you my web address for WordPress. My other half just went to my site and found it OK. Please let me know. we will get this sorted out!

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        1. This has me puzzled. I wonder what devise you are using to access my site, iphone, computer? My actual web address is dandrews0244.wordpress.com Please let me know

          Liked by 1 person

  12. Ohh Miriam, this is such a wonderful way to honor your mother especially for Mother’s Day! The best gift for a mother is when her children admire and look up to her and in that your mother definitely has the best gift ever!

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  13. Got through it with tears and smiles. She sounds amazing. These past few months I’ve tried to put myself in your shoes, trying to imagine what it must be like to lose your mum, yet still have pieces of her.

    Now I see. I have a face to put with my healing thoughts and when I picture her on the beach, wind blowing in her hair I see that great smile.

    You must miss her so much. I miss her and we’ve never even met. Hugs to you, sweet girl. Big, giant hugs.

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    1. Oh yes, she had the best smile. The most gorgeous smile and I miss that so much. Every now and then, like when we put the rabbit on her lap not long ago, it comes back and I see a glimpse of my old mum. And I cherish those moments. Hugs back to you Jessica, my sweet friend xo

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      2. Wish I knew her. I’d love to tell her how this crazy thing called the internet connected us together across an ocean and that we were essentially bonded because of her.

        What a gift she is. All I did was ask about her and here we are. Friends for life now, you’re stuck with me! 🙂

        I’m so glad you were able to write about her and what she means to you.

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        1. Had to laugh about the internet comment cos mum knew nothing about computers! And yet, you’re right, here we are bonded because of her and you would never have known me if it wasn’t for our blogs. What a crazy life! You’re stuck with me too, ya know! 🙂

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        2. Her not knowing about the Internet makes it that much better! She’d really love this story! It’s like a fairy tale almost. My grandma Irene passed away before there was Internet. She never would have believed you could make friends virtually through thin air. 🙂 I’ll love your mum forever for starting this friendship, even if she’s unaware.

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  17. Pingback: Admiration (Flower Parade 3) | What's (in) the picture?

  23. This is a lovely post Miriam, your mother would love to read it and I’m sure she knows how much you care. I’m glad you followed through with writing it after reading my post. It does seem to help when we write things down doesn’t it? I wish you all the best for Mother’s Day. 🙂

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  26. What a wonderful tribute to your mum. She sounds like a very strong woman who loves those around her very much, and she’s very much the fighter. Love the shot of you and her together 🙂 ❤

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  30. Your words painted such a beautiful portrait of your mom that I feel as if I’ve actually met her! What a strong and compassionate woman. I am so sorry for what she is going through now….

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Ann. Yes, it’s hard seeing her in this state but for whatever reason it is, this is her journey, and ours too, to walk with her …

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  33. Reblogged this on Unmeasured Journeys and commented:
    Remember Miriam?

    I shared her story “The Longest Goodbye” that she wrote about her lovely mum. This time I am sharing an amazing tribute she wrote to her mum for Mother’s Day.

    I really like it, hope you do, too.

    Like

    Reply

  35. This is a lovely post. Now I know part of your Mum’s story. I had assumed it was dementia from the posts. I will find and read the Longest Goodbye now. It must be very hard. I hope you have some lovely time together with your Mum on the weekend and with your kids too.

    Which part of Italy is your mother from?

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    1. Thanks Louise. I actually read this post to mum today, which was kind of therapeutic for me and comforting for her, as I think she understood. Mum’s from the Veneto region which is in the north of Italy.

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  36. Miriam, what a truly beautiful post to your mom!!! I’m tearing up! She sounds like a wonderful woman and mother. What a story too! Do you spead Italian? Have you been to where she was born? What an inspiring story so filled with love. Xoxo

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    1. Aw, thanks so much Nicole. Mum’s a pretty remarkable woman, she’s always been my rock and to see her like this is heartbreaking. But for whatever reason, this is her journey now and we’re walking it with her.
      Yes, I speak Italian, not fluently but enough. I’ve been to Italy a few times, the first time was when I was 14 with mum and dad. It was wonderful and I’ve since been back a couple of times on my own and with Doug. So glad I’ve seen where mum (and dad) grew up and met my Italian family over there. xo

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      1. How beautiful Miriam. I bet her illness has a lot to do with how you’ve been feeling. When my dad went through cancer, I was a mess and it took two years (a year after his recovery and one during it) to feel myself again.

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  37. Wow! I have no words to express what I felt reading your post, Miriam. It’s an amazing homage to your mom and I am glad I could read it. I wish all the best to you and your mother! Beautiful photo with you both.
    Big hug ❤

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      1. You are most welcome. Your mom looks like a wonderful woman. I try to appreciate each day we have with our mom. Watching dad decline years ago was heart wrenching. They are irreplaceable. ❤

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        1. You’re so right Karen. It’s hard to watch our loved ones suffer, I’m sorry about your dad. Enjoy the time you have with your mum. Life’s so precious.

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  41. So heartwarming and an inspiring post Miriam. With four letters you have described the characteristics of your mom and she surely is an awe-inspiring person to look up to. And a perfect tribute for Mothers Day ❤ Advance Happy Mother's Day wishes to you as well as your lovely mom. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  42. It’s great to know about such a lovely and strong woman. You are really blessed to have such a Mum. The way you tribute your Mum is really admirable. Wishing her a good health.

    Liked by 1 person

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