A Lot of Love and Affection

“And through it all she offers me protection, a lot of love and affection, whether I’m right or wrong.”

These words from none other than Robbie Williams, have always made me consider what it is to be a mum.

Protection. Love and affection. Whether I’m right or wrong.

Yes, that about sums up the role of being a mum. The role. The honour. The privilege. A lot of love and affection, whether I’m right or wrong. Unconditional love, of the parent, for the child.

All summed up in one crappy pop song. But this particular crappy pop song has always resonated with me and my family because we listened to it, over and over again, when my dear mum died. Back in the year 2000. I was pregnant at the time with Paddy, and knowing I was about to be a mum again, even as I lost m own dear mum, somehow fired me on - reminding me, every day, what a privilege it is to be a parent, and how much I value being a mum.

Shane Summerfield, you also reminded me what a huge honour it is to be a mum, when you spoke at your mum’s funeral, more recently. I remember sitting, listening to you, thinking how complicated people make motherhood out to be. And yet, how profoundly simple it is too. A lot of love and affection whether I’m right or wrong. I can no longer recall your specific words, but I’ll always remember the essence. Just love, being there, comfort, a home, more love, being there. Rinse and repeat. Be there through the mess of it, whether we’re right or wrong.

No need to over-complicate it. No need for stuff, for things, for anything more complicated than a lot of love and affection.

I know I was always blessed with love. Thank you my dear mummy. Thanks Robbie. Thanks Shane. Dear Ed, Paddy, and Abi, it’s been a joy.