Last week one of the daughters had a birthday.
They can be cruel reminders, if we let them be, these offspring birthdays. They are mumble-mumble years old now, so we must be (oh heck) mumble-mumble-mumble, and give another ten years or so we'll be all zimmer frames and meals-on-wheels and watching Flog It on iPlayer ...
ENOUGH!!!!
We do not have to count years. We don't even have to recall, all those years ago, the nappies and sleepless nights, the mumps and chickenpox, the time when you (insert all bad-mother memories. If you can't recall them your children will). And then the bedtime stories, the birthday parties, playing hide and seek in the forest ... the parents evenings, the concerts, the prizegivings ...
And look at them now, all these daughters of mine (I have four). It's hard to connect them with all that long-gone childhood. But, as each has a birthday, it's time to celebrate what wonderful, feisty, independent, free-thinking, bolshy, unique women they have become.
One of the especially wonderful things about them is the support they give me. I do know I've given them the heebie-jeeebies a couple of times. In spite of assurances I won't put myself at risk, it happens occasionally. (I promise I'll never go playing with tigers again.) It can't always be easy wondering what I'm going to do next. Yet, whatever they say to each other behind my back (let's be honest, we all talk about our mothers behind their backs) they have always been encouraging and supportive to my face.
Who cares if I'm mumble-mumble-mumble with young women like this around me to keep me on my toes.
You have four daughters? Oh lucky lucky you! I have two and yes, I know what you mean about the support. And the birthdays! My oldest son just celebrated his, and so this post made me LOL. *mumble mumble*
ReplyDeleteI do know how lucky I am - and good there's someone else celebrating being mumble-mumble!
DeleteWhat's wrong with watching Flog It on iPlayer? ;)
ReplyDeleteAh ... now there's a question ... maybe I should try it before I throw these images into the blogosphere ... or maybe I'll save that delight for another day ... ;)
DeleteI only have one daughter but she's very special, not more special than my son, different special. I remember when I was her age how old I thought Mum was. Groan! I wonder how I look through her eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure if I had sons I'd celebrate them in the same way. And I know what you mean about wondering how I look to them, but suspect I really don't want to know.
DeleteIf I had had children I would have wanted 4 daughters.... how lovely (sometimes!!).
ReplyDeleteHope you got my email thanking you for your lovely book! xxxx
Jo, your post goes rather well with mine on the mumble, mumble, mumble front. I do, however, agree. Daughters are wonderful. I only have two, but they are my absolute best friends and they support me even when they are convinced I'm doing something irresponsible (which is a lot of the time). Having four must be double the pleasure!
ReplyDeleteI so agree Jo. I often think that one of the nicest things about having children is realising you know such wonderful people really well, after they have grown up!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post, but... if you notice any strangers lurking outside your house, or men in shades talking in their lapels, don't even dare to call the police. Because... the police are in on it. The PC brigade is out to get you! You used two (apparently) banned words that should never be used when describing wome: bolshie and feisty. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I don't care, I AM BOLSHIE AND FEISTY. Apparently like one of your daughters. Wish her happy birthday and now run back inside and draw your curtains. The PC police might be at yoru door this minute.
Don't forget to carry on writing when they finally get you and send you down. :-)
Greetings from London.