Mothers

I've been thinking a lot about mothers this last week with the run up to Mothering Sunday.  I know everyone thinks their mum is the best, but my mum (or mam, as she calls herself) really is! (Mum has also mastered the art of avoiding photos, I had to go back to 2004 to find one of her!): 

She is the most selfless person I know.  She thinks of others before herself, always serving and giving willingly of her time.  She will find a positive in any negative situation or person and is absolutely loyal and forgiving.  She is a hard worker and self sufficient.  She made us children feel safe when we were young and having to cope with our father's mental illness... she made up for his flaws through her patience and example.  She still brings me medicine when I'm ill and looks after me.  She's a strong lady, sure in her faith and love of God.  She is an angel in disguise.

Nana is of the same ilk.  Nana is made of tough stuff.  She is 91 and battling pneumonia at the moment.  The happiest childhood memories I have are of our day long train rides to stay with Nana in Carlisle for a couple of weeks in the summer holidays and half terms.  We would spend our time walking, going to parks and playing with our cousin Andrew.  Nana calls mum 'Our Ollie'.  I love that.  This is the last time I saw her, when Rosie was a baby:

It was a wonderful but sad visit. Nana's Alzheimer's disease was very noticeable and she had to go into residential care soon after she returned home.  I'm hoping Nana will be with us long enough for me take my children to visit her one more time.  I know she won't remember them, but they will remember meeting their Great Nanna who raised their Nanny Holland.  And what a fine job she did.