It’s not long now. Just a couple of weeks before Mother’s Day when you ring briefly, or send a card, send some flowers, tell her quickly how much you love her, give her a hug, finally make the tea yourself, or maybe even take her out for lunch. But I think we can get a little too relaxed about these annual events, can’t we? They come round every year, appearing less special and we follow the same pattern, pay the day lip service and then move on. So how about this year you do something a little differently? What if you took the time to slow down, really think about how important she is to you and give her something that she’ll really treasure.
The mother you’re celebrating could be your wife, your sister, your favourite aunty, your grandma, your great-grandma even. The mother you’re celebrating could just as easily be you.
So what makes a mummy? I think it’s a combination of love, laughter, care, a little bit of wisdom (that you listen to and some you don’t), a lot of feeding and feeling and picking you up, of taking you down a peg or two, of building you back up again, teaching and learning, and making you see (differently, but not always better), cooking and cleaning and encouraging the dirt, dusting you down, lifting you up for cuddles and kisses and hugs (some too long, and sometimes painfully too short), detangling tresses and buttoning dresses, sunday roasts and playground boasts about you and your brother, your sister, being your cheerleader, watching you leave, welcoming you back with open arms, telling the truth, telling little fibs about what you’ve got on, it does look good, you do look lovely, the disagreements, making up, showing you grace and favour, forgiving your failure, celebrating your wins and carrying you through losses, giving you life or becoming your life by finding you and bringing you home. Being there.
And then not being there. Breaking your heart. But making you strong enough to mend your own heart a little, bit by bit. Making it big enough to give out your own mothering love on mothering sunday.
You could ask her what she wants and spoil the surprise, or grab her that M&S voucher again (mine never asks for anything else). But it might be time to take yourself off autopilot. Take a moment to think about what the mother in your life really loves – because I bet at the very top of her list is being a mother.
You know her best. So take a look at her the next time she’s playing with the kids, or her grandchildren. Isn’t that the time when she really smiles, easily and abundantly? Doesn’t she hold them tight and squeeze them, tickle them and make them feel loved. Loved enough to burst. Wouldn’t she adore being able to see that for herself, hold that moment even longer and forever? Hands down, her family is the most important thing in her busy, bustling life. She would love you to see that too.
Celebrate the mum in your life with a bespoke photography session on location in some of the most beautiful places in Surrey and London. She’ll receive a personal experience from me that captures your family together in a relaxed way, enjoying each other’s company and creating gorgeous portraits that she will continue to adore long after the boxes of chocolates has been eaten (largely by you).
So from now until Mother’s Day (Sunday 3rd April – write it in the diary now!) you can purchase a special gift voucher, presented beautifully and wrapped in ribbon, that will entitle you to a custom family portrait session that will also include a complimentary 7X5 inch frame-ready print. Sessions can be scheduled on any available date until the end of June 2011. Plus there are plenty of other gorgeous products, prints and gifts available to order following the session – just in case you want to spoil her even more. You know she deserves it.
Mother’s Day Gift Vouchers are available to purchase for £150.00 and can be ordered by emailing me at kate@kategriffinphotography.com or by giving me a ring on 0784 147 9035. If you live in Guildford, or the surrounding areas I can hand-deliver your gift voucher to you up until Saturday 2nd April.
She’ll be so surprised at the thought – I know she will adore the portraits that follow.
