My mum has always instilled in me the confidence and belief in myself that I can conquer the world. Literally. When I was at my lowest ebb and didn’t have a clue how to pick myself back up she was there popping on the kettle, opening a pack of Mr Kipling and pulling out a pen and paper telling me to make a list. If in doubt write it out. The plan that evolved from many nights sobbing down the phone, late night drives so I wouldn’t be on my own was that I was going to travel solo.
Obviously, I’ve always loved my mum but it was during this time where she turned into even more of a super mum that I became totally in awe of her and her conviction that I was going to be ok. Maybe not today or tomorrow but one day I was going to be ok and this was the making of me.
I guess she was right with that one.
She was the one who rang up and cancelled wedding suppliers, let guests know that the big day wasn’t going to happen and tried her hardest to put a positive spin on things when I knew that she was almost as crushed as I was that it had all turned out this way.
When I told her I was thinking of making this bold life change to quit my job and travel she never once questioned my decision, there was no doubt in her mind that I would succeed in whatever I ended up trying to achieve. Of course she was worried about how I would cope with being so far from home on my own and about my safety but she only gave me her absolute encouragement to go out there and find a new path in life.
The deal was that I had to return with amazing stories, share the memories I had made and as long as I was happy and safe then she was 100% behind this big decision. She even wrote me this travel list of rules to adhere to whilst I was away.
When she was younger she would spend her summers with her sisters and my grandparents driving through Europe inventing games for the long car journeys and stopping off in sun drenched towns for picnics and paddling. The older she got she didn’t get the chance to travel further afield like I’ve done, as she married young and had me and my brother to look after. Travel was nothing more than a fortnight’s package holiday or regular trips to see my family in France. She first travelled outside Europe in her late forties when she went to India on a business trip and has since been on a mission to make up for lost travel time.
She has always been curious and this is something I’ve certainly picked up from her. She hates being told no and will try her hardest to prove that she can do something. I also have this stubborn streak and desire to succeed even if the odds look stacked against me. She has been a real role model in encouraging me and my four siblings to be the best we can be, not to take no for an answer and to take risks to get where we want to go as it will all work out ok.
She may not have seen the world like I have (not yet at least) but because she inspired my adventurous spirit, this need to learn and explore everything I can, she has been with me on all my trips without realising it.
She is currently away in Prague as she ticks off another country on her travel bucket list so I won’t get to spoil her rotten on Mother’s Day. Although in a way I’m glad so she can’t be too mad that I’ve shared her cute childhood snaps with the world! If you’re lucky enough to have your mum close by tomorrow (you’ve still got time to nip to the shops to pick up something pretty for them today…) then make sure you give her a squeeze for being so blooming ace, especially if they gave you the wanderlust gene; they deserve an extra tight cuddle.
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