my mom died

mum lost her battle with cancer tuesday 29th september.

mum was a good person and a fighter. if you missed the privilege of meeting her, read on.

mum was relentlessly positive and kind. never let anything bring her down. she’d tell you, “it’ll all come out in the wash”. “no point crying over spilled milk”. with a laugh, a wink, and a bright smile. she sent thanks without caring if it ever came back. that was never the point. she was infectious that way. she was so fun! she loved to chat and loved making people feel better.

she had the strength to be this way like no-one else you know. under the hiss of a nebuliser, this brave, shining soul did physiotherapy. i’m telling you. this woman. on fifteen fucking litres of life-supporting oxygen stretched her legs and gave us a thumbs up. because she looked towards the next best day. because being selfless, loving, and whole were what she believed in. sure, she got upset. she battled cancer. and still stared down that alley of darkness and told friends and strangers to live fiercely.

her will and attitude to life are gifts i want to embody, and hand to you, in her place. that’s what this post is for. telling you as my mother’s son.

no matter what.
no matter what you’re going through:

“you’ve got this.”

despite my grief i am so, so proud. to be her little man. mummy made me the happiest little boy. i think: i am so lucky. she made sure i grew up in a happy home full of love. not everyone gets that. i got that every day of my life.

what an honour and opportunity that is. to have a strong female role model. to know a mother’s love.

i think, because i know it, i can create it. the love i lost and still feel. that could be what the second half of life is for.

we celebrated mornings with coffee and sunflowers. with the pot on after she passed, one turned to me. so she’s still here.

i only ask, pour one out. invite her in. order a second coffee or cake. enjoy a real memory with her. or your first. she loves being fussed over.

it’s my job to take care of our family now. to create and pass on that meaning of life. something money can’t buy, and science can’t detect.

i love you mum
thanks for having me