MEMORIES OF MY MUM

My first memory of my mom was when I was about two. My parents (or more likely my Grandparents) had bought me and my sister a convertable high chair. It was awesome because you could turn it into a swing. I loved our little swing and I was always upset when I couldn't play on it. Which is very odd, because when I went on swings in the park, I got motion sick. but my mum knew how much I enjoyed our swing and was happy to build it for me. 

Of course I couldn't take my swing to Exeter. so how do you entertain a kid on holiday at their gran's house? Plasticine (now less popular because of the advent of play-doh). We loved the stuff. It was wonderful. My mum had a very odd imagination. She once made a model of a man sat on the toilet. A man with elephant ears. I have no idea why. More on this later.

So, I remember my mum for being tolerant and for having a vivid imagination. Better than mine, anyway. She was tolerant of us raiding the cupboards to play shop, or using the clothes airer for a tent of making a monkey swing from sheets.  

I remember that she was was incredibly forgiving. No matter how much I failed, she would never be disappointed in me. Her belief was that as long as I tried, then that was all that mattered and I've always tried my best, sometimes too hard. 

The two most important things I remember my mother for is once when I was down on myself, she gave me a card with the poem, "Don't Quit" on it. I still have it to this day. I carry it everywhere. 

The other thing I remember, is that she is my first hero. Firstly, because she has always believed in me when no-one else has.

The second is, she literally saved my life. If not for her, I wouldn't be here. I don't just mean because she is my mum. Take heed of this next story, dear friends, it may also save your life.

When I was about ten, my sister and I were playing a game of Mousetrap. I was left alone for a while and started throwing the silver ball bearing in the air and trying to catch it, a bit like some people do with peanuts (or if you're a Jackie Chan character, chewing gum). I caught it in mouth. I then realised it had gone into my throat and was stuck there. I began to choke badly. I tried to pull it out myself which was a silly thing to do looking back on it, because that made it worse. I don't remember much because it was horrid. It seemed like minutes, but if it had been I would probably have been dead so it was probably only seconds. I remember my sister screaming. She was absolutely terrified. I remember my mum banging me on the back. The bad thing is, it has given me a phobia for people choking (even a little bit) and vomiting ever since, which is a bit hard when you have the compassion of an empath and the skill of a first aider. I still try not to think about it. I go a bit nuts when someone has a coughing fit, or is sick, but I'm okay.  

The point is that my mother was my saviour that day. She had no training in first aid and stopped me from dying. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here to do all the things I've enjoyed: marrying Don, blogging, making videos, Parkrun, running, journalism, my friendship with Bill Neely, etc. I wouldn't be writing this now. I will never forget this. It's the main reason I learned basic first aid. I forgot to thank her for it before she died, so I'll do it now. Thanks, Mum! 

Here are a few silly memories to finish with. 

THE DODGY MICROWAVE OVEN. 

In our 'matchbox' house in Sheffield, we had a microwave with a pull-down door on it. One day my mum was making chicken, my favourite thing. She opened the door to remove the chicken and for some reason the hinge failed and the door came off in her hand. My dad and I thought it was really funny and were giggling away, while my mum was stood there thinking, "WTF?!"

THE TROUSERS

My mother was quite fond of napping in an armchair, she always loosened the button and zip on her trousers when she did. On one particular day she forget to re-tighten them when she got up. The door bell rang. She ran to answer before I had a chance to offer. As she crossed the room, her lose trousers fell down to her ankles. I just cracked up. I answered the door and then I went back to my mum, where we both started laughing ourselves silly. 

THE FLUSH

As I previously explained, we loved plasticine and my mum made a model of a man sat on a toilet. My sister noticed it didn't have a flush handle. So she put one on it. My mum suddenly let out a scream of protest.

"You've put the flush on his ear!!", she pointed out. A lot of laughter. Not a phrase you ever usually hear!


I could go on about the wonderful and happy memories of my mother all day, but we only have so much space. The most important memory of my mother is the way, she loved me, stood by me, never ceased to be there when I needed her and was a woman who accepted me for who I was no matter what.

I miss her and I always will. RIP mum. You were the best.

My mum's favourite picture of me.

Me and my mom.