Mummy dearest.. but not so nearest

You may not be able to pay her a visit, but you can pay a couple of quid to put a smile on her face

Last year, about four months into the pandemic, my two grannies died. So within he space of around 112 days, my dad lost his mum and my mum lost her mum. This is literally my biggest fear. The thought of losing my mum keeps me awake some nights and this terror has intensified in the past year when our parents have been at high risk of catching a virus which had a high risk of making them gravely ill.

And many sons and daughters have lost their mums as a result, and how utterly heartbroken they must feel.

I know both of my parents were, and still are, grieving the death of their mums.

And this is totally understandable as, no matter what age you are and no matter what age she is, your mum is your mum and there is never a time in our lives when you don’t need her around.

I have always felt this way as I am very close to my mother but it has resonated with me even more since I had my daughter.

From the moment she wakes up, her first word is ALWAYS “mama” followed by “where are you?” and ending with “I need you”.

And these three phases are uttered well over a hundred times a day.

Sometimes I hide in the bathroom, car, take extra long clicking and collecting the groceries just so I get a break.

But I can never stay away too long because my four-year-old always wants to know where I am and she always needs me – even when she doesn’t which is most of the time. But we’re all the same, we all need our mamas and we are all missing our mamas, particularly if you haven’t seen them in months (since September for me) and you have no idea when you will see them again (many more months unless down south gets a move on with its vaccine rollout).

But I know I am one of the lucky ones, as I will get to see my mama again, I wasn’t one of the unlucky ones who lost theirs in this absolute horror that has been the past year.

So, for now, she will just have to make do with a Facetime date, and virtual hug and a good oldfashioned card.

Another thing I miss is going to the newsagents and spending some time picking a card for my loved ones on their special occasions. I love having a chuckle at all the funny ones and wondering if the person receiving it will find it just as amusing – sometimes they really don’t!

And when it comes to Mother’s Day, I always find one that says all the things I don’t tell her often enough – if ever.

This year I plan to send her one that cheers her up.

As forget flowers, chocolates or afternoon teas, this year I can guarantee what your mum wants – and needs – more than anything is a chuckle.

So I have gathered some locally-designed funny cards and some super sweet cards which will be guaranteed to bring some smiles her way even if she is miles away.