Mothers and daughters have, at times, difficult relationships. Two bodies filled with hormones who love each other fiercely but often don’t see eye to eye, can at times cause quite the stir. Regardless, between most mothers and daughters, there is an intense bond that calls you “home” when the other is in need. Yesterday I awoke to a telephone call in the middle of the night, my mother was critically ill and I needed to be by her side. I got up, dressed, went to work, crammed in the most urgent of things into a few wee hours while I waited for the next train which would take me to her. Due to the terrible weather, it wasn’t so easy to be where I needed to be, so I took 6 trains and travelled over 10 hours waiting on various tiny platforms in the dark for the most non-direct route possible, but a route that would bypass all the trouble on the tracks and let me be by her bedside.
I arrived, wet, cold and weary but ever so glad to see her. I didn’t have to worry about how much that journey cost (my goodness it was a lot!), I in fact would of gone to the moon & back had I needed to. But because going to the moon & back won’t help her, I’ve simply focused on what she needs. Today, on my second visit, I came equipped with a flannel and soap to wash her with, some perfume to make her smell nice, changes of PJ’s and undergarments to help her keep her dignity, hot drinks to soothe her throat, a book to read to her from and a heart that for once is fully grateful that I’ve had my mother for more than 25 years and overwhelmingly grateful that it looks like she will make a complete recovery.
Sitting across from my mother was a dear old lady, in her 80′s with no family. She told me the tale in the wee hours of the morning about how she and her husband were never blessed with children, she has 1 brother who had two children – one has emigrated to Oz and the other lives in the West Midlands but never visits or sends cards. As she told me her story she had tears streaming down her face, truth be told I did to. She told me about her husband, how he was the only man that ever “knew” her, that they cherished each other and were never apart. As she told me about the hospital losing her wedding ring, the one thing she owned that reminded her of him, I had to hide my face for it was simply too much to bear. It made me remember my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days, and on that list one item which states my desire to befriend an older person who is lonely. So as I head back to the hospital equipped with flowers for my mum and the lady I’ll call Grace, fruit baskets for them both, hot water bottles for all 4 feet, I feel that I am so incredibly lucky and privileged to be on this journey. This simplicity journey means my outgoings are small, no mobile/cell phone, a basic food allowance, no magazines or new clothes, no car payments and no debt, means each and every month I can help in any way I can the people I meet. It means I can travel to be with my mum, I can arrange for flowers and food to be delivered to her & Grace, I can send a cheque to the Nielsons and you know what, that means more to me than being able to eventually buy a house because I can save, work part time, or pay extra into my pension fund. Living a life helping others is what life really is all about.
I’ll be back later to check on all my great bloggy friends, but for now I have some fruit baskets to make and some hot water bottles to fill!
A heartfelt post, thanks for sharing. Hope your Mum heals and recovers quickly. And a blessing for you, your Mum and Grace to spend some time together, whatever the circumstances. Sometimes gifts come in the most unlikely packages.
Happy weekend.
D x
Hope you Mum is soon better, I’m sure Grace really appreciates your support too.I can’t imagine being all alone in th world, we all need a hand to hold.
That is a truly beautiful post and I can completely relate to it. That has lifted me
I hope your mum and Grace are OK.
You have a heart full of love! You’ll make a great mother & wife one day!
I hope your mum has a complete, healthy recovery. 
Hi there-what a lovely post! I wish your mum a speedy recovery and so pleased you’ve met a new friend too!
That is really sweet. I hope she has a great recovery too.
On an unrelated note.. I’d love to interview you. Let me know!
glad to hear your mum is going to be OK this time with her is really precious.
wow. you must be one of most clear hearted persons here. My wishes for your mom and grace getting well soon.
Hope you Mum is back to good health soon!
Thinking of you!
I am left in quiet awe of your compassion and spirit and ability to give from the heart. Your mother raised a remarkable daughter.
I’m glad you have this time together and hope that your mother improves so you can have much more.
You really have your priorities straight.
Thank you for writing this beautiful post. What a good reminder of what life is really about. Money is just a tool to help us take care of what we value most. Having it now when it’s truly needed instead of spending it on Stuff was the wisest choice you could have made. This reminds me to keep this in mind whenever I want to spend frivolously.
I, too, hope both your mother and Grace are doing well.
You, your mom and Grace are in my prayers and thoughts. I hope that your mom feels better.
Be sure to enjoy every moment that you get with her. I lost my mom just over a month ago and all I wish is that I could see her just one more time.
Oh man, that’s a rough haul, what about renting a car next time?
Sending love to you, your Mum and Grace xxx
Hoping your Mom is feeling better soon. Living a life helping others. It is wonderful for everyone~we all come away with something. Thank you
~Corinne
hope your mother will be in good health soon, and you’re a very loving person to befriend another……a heart felt post from you again.
Gill in Canada
Hope your mum is well soon. Grace will get better in more ways than one with your attention and company and care as well.
Sending good thoughts to all of you! xo
I hope things go well for your mom, please remember all of us to her and to Grace and please let her know that even though we will never meet her, there are people who will mention her in their thoughts and prayers. Hugs to all of you.
Babs xxx
What a fantastic story. A few years ago I met a lady who was 85 at the time. She had a daughter who lived in town but didn’t visit. Truth is I met her quite by accident. I would visit a couple of times a week just to hear the same stories repeated about her twin sister and her mother that had passed away during childbirth.
I never understood the connection until she was very sick and I had to get her to the hospital. I spent days by her side (Thank God) for an understanding husband. Most of that time she was asleep and I would sit beside her and read Psalms. One day she woke up and told me that God had promised she would never be alone. When she was younger she was the person who had always taken care of everyone, including strangers. I am so thankful that I was chosen to be her friend. I was blessed to be of service.
How great you get this opportunity and are willing to take it.
You have a butterfly award for being so fabulous…
http://northernlivingallowance.blogspot.com/2008/10/butterfly-award.html
You’re such a lovely person to think about others the way you do. Really glad your mum is going to be ok and that she has such a lovely daughter.
Blessing and healing vibes to your Mom & Grace. How blessed you are to recognize the important things in life at this point in your life.
You continue to inspire me and motivate me to be a better person.
HUGS, Melanie
best wishes for both women. you are truly inspirational.
I hope your mum gets better soon ft.
As Kathie W said, you have your priorities straight
I hope that your mum and Grace are both well soon. So pleased that Grace has found you. (Or should that be the other way round?)
Can’t believe that the hospital has “lost” her wedding ring. That makes me so angry. Is it definitely gone for good? Can it be tracked down, do you think?
As others have said, that was beautiful and yes, definitely a VERY good reason for having an emergency fund or at least a bit of money in your purse that isn’t earmarked for debt.
You are one very special young lady! Your Mum and Grace are in my prayers.
and yes you are right a very, very good reason to have an emergency fund.
Life leads us up roads we never thought we would travel. Bless you for your kindness. I will keep your Mum and Grace in my thoughts.
I hope your Mum and Grace recover soon x
I do hope your Mum (and Grace) make speedy recoveries. When the chips are down there’s no one like your Mum and I know when my Mum suddenly took seriously ill a couple of years ago it was a tremendous shock and worry. It was also a great privilege to be able to repay all the years she’d looked after me by then being able to be there for her when I was needed. Good health is one thing money can’t buy (thank goodness, or the Tories would have privatised it!!)
What a beautiful person you are!
this is a beautiful post (and reminder) …. SO glad youre mom is getting … and will get .. .better.
It is very meaningful to me how gentle and kind you have been to your mom and to Grace. You have developed some wonderful inner gifts of bestowing mercy on others. Anyone who is sick needs all of the kindness possible. I’m proud of you!
Blessings,
Nichole
How wonderful. Its wonderful that you do so much from the heart without having to worry about everyday expenses.
Oh I am sooo late reading this. I hope your mom makes a full recovery indeed. What an ordeal you went through to get there!!
Grace is lucky to be in the room she is!