posted by Lily on family

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I celebrated my first mother’s day – as a mumma – 12 years ago.  Abby was a wee five month old who slept reasonably well at night, but stayed awake ALL DAY.  That was tiring.

Julian was away – can’t remember where or why – and Abby and I spent the morning and lunch in with Mum and co.  The extended family gathered for a picnic on the school oval – in those days, Mum was still living in a little old wooden cottage on the school campus – and whilst the older children played, we grown ups sat around in a circle, on our picnic chairs, chatting and eating whilst Abby lay on a quilt at our feet.  Mum had to leave early – she had to go to Canberra – and as the air chilled, and the shadows lengthened, the aunties and uncles gathered their hampers, rugs, toys and children and went home.  Just Abby and I were left.

We fed Annie – Mum’s dog – locked up her house and traipsed home to our own little abode – I remember it being so very quiet, dark, cold and lonely.  Abby was a dear baby – very happy and relaxed – and we settled down in the cosy sitting room, the lamps lit and the television on.  Nothing like a bit of the old Aunty (australian broadcasting corporation) to keep you company and remind you that you are in fact part of a much bigger world.  I’m sure there would have been quite a bit of breastfeeding and snuggling.  And then, after Abby was settled into her cradle, I watched the very first episode of “Seachange” – a fabulous Australian series set in a tiny Victorian seaside village about a mum, her two children, and her valiant – and often very funny – efforts to create a new life away from the city, her friends, home, job etc.

I don’t remember many details of my first mother’s day – but I do remember really enjoying this episode of “Seachange” – and as Laura (played by Sigrid Thornton) confronted a flattened cat, a cheating husband and sister who had commited the ultimate betrayal, a falling apart work promotion, a suspended-from-school son, deceitful real estate agent, dilapadated house, and eccentric new job, I felt that my first mother’s day symbolised the beginning of a completely new life.

A beautiful wee baby was now at the centre of my world.  She was completely reliant upon me – and would be for so many years to come – and thus I needed to be strong, capable, cheerful, enterprising, imaginative, resilient, loving … and always there.  The world wouldn’t be perfect, not all my dreams would come true, sometimes I would be on my own, sometimes life would be difficult and I would be tired, and yet, there would always be someone and something waiting for my attention.  That’s what being a mother is all about.

In later seasons, Laura thrived in her new home and met the demands placed upon her with mostly bravery and optimism.  She did good, and she did it well.  And now, 12 years later, I feel confident in saying, that whilst there are ups and downs, days that are magical and ones that are horrid, lots of work, uncertainty, and always that bit of tiredness, I am doing good.  Being a mum is the most successful thing I have ever done.  And I am so very grateful for the opportunity.

So how did I spend my 12th mother’s day – Julian made me lemon crepes for breakfast, Abby gave me a beautiful new craft book, we read aloud and as a family two more chapters of Dewey – the Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, I spent hours sewing in my little shed – a special something for the family room and Abby! – I cooked dinner with Julian, did the dishes, changed the sheets, brought in the washing, played Mario with Abby, we all snuggled up on the sofa and watched Dr. Who, and I finally covered my little outdoor table …

A very good mother’s day was had indeed … and I wish you a very fine mother’s day too.  Aren’t we lucky :-)