Ron’s Corner – A Reflection On Mother’s Day

 

As Mothers Day is approaching, I thought a few words on “Special Mothers ” is needed as they are a Blessing.

 I was  fortunate  to be raised by my Grandmother, on my fathers side, from the age of 12. I don’t know what age Nanna  was when she started to care for me but at that age anyone over 25 was old! I think Nanna was in her late sixties and Pop was in his seventies.

 

They were only on a pension, things were pretty tight so I had to quickly learn how to chop wood for the fuel stove and copper for washing. At 14 I got a job until I could get apprenticed it was at a corner shop .and so was able to get a bit more money to help out .

 

 

 

 For one Mothers Day I bought Nanna a tin of paint ,and I painted the back wooden steps, and she thought that it was very special .

 

 

In Brisbane at that time the houses were mostly built on high stumps so you had underneath to use and as we had no hot water in the house Pop and I  took a kettle, towel and flannel and washed ourselves in a basin, bit primitive but it beats being dirty and smelly.

 

One day Pop said to me…”Would you like a can of pineapple juice” there was some in the store cupboard down there. Nanna we thought didn’t know that we did this on occasions, only one time we must have been too long washing and as we were drinking the juice, Nanna stomped on the floor above and called,” Daddy, you and Ron stop drinking that pineapple juice and get up here straightaway.” Pop grinned sheepishly at me and said … were sprung son. How did Nanna know, it was always a mystery to us but Nannas like Moms just know.

 

Pop had Parkinson’s Disease and as it advanced I looked after him, I bathed him and put to bed each night, it felt good to be able to help. Pop was a gentle, loving Man and funny, earlier on when he was more active, while cooking the franks he would smile and say,”those boys are jumping around a bit tonight,” I always found this funny and we would laugh together, Poppa was great.  

 

 

Nanna also made really tasty Apple pies which when Poppa was able to, we use to both deliver on our bikes to her friends or those needing a special kindness and encouragement but of course a few samples were appreciated on the way …so good! 

 

But the thing that enabled me to be the person I am in my focus is  because Nanna was a committed Christian, and we went to a City Church by train every Sunday morning and night. Nanna  became my Mother, she Loved and cared for me  and ensured that I toed the line and behaved and when you are 6 ft as she was, you tended to listen more closely!

 

Nanna was the type of Christian that would miss a train on purpose, if there was an opportunity and as she sat on the platform seat she would talk about the Lord with someone waiting, bless her!

 

As I remember the time I spent as a young Man with my Nanna,  a very special lady who I will always treasure and love. I feel blessed to have these good memories and thank both God, her and of course my Pop.

 

To all those who became surrogate Moms for whatever reason, to all of you who never had their own Children, or like Anne whose Children died but have had much Joy caring for, loving and looking after other people’s Children…

 

 Happy Mothers Day and Thank you.

 

blessings

Ron