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Ray Parker's avatar

I did not share the bond with my mother that you describe; in her lifetime she was never observed offering anything resembling nurturing behavior to any of her 5 children.

However, I am grateful that you did experience that, and that in your own very unique voice, you are able to share your memories and feelings in a way that lets me know that the love between a mother and child can be as real as anything else this world has to offer.

As the parent of 3, I have done my level best to love my children. I sincerely hope I have given them something that will sustain them as well as give them something to build on for their own families.

Thank you.

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Esther Stanway-Williams's avatar

Alison, this was a beautiful read. I’ve had lots of challenging things happen since my mum died when I was 33. Dad’s dementia, my ex deciding to leave, Dom unable to stay. Lost a cat and a dog too in amongst all that…not Earth-shattering in the great scheme of things but your feelings about the important part they play in our lives and loss resonated too. But I credit my mum with the fact that I’ve managed to find a way back to myself. Not only was she personally resilient, I did most definitely feel loved. And that is the bedrock we need…for which I am grateful. That and the fact that my newish partner (10 years and hoping for many more) doesn’t regard domestic labour as beneath him 🤪

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