Today, Feb' 11th, was my dear mother's birthday. Were she still alive she would be 104 years old today (actually she would have been 107).
There was nothing particularly special about her; she was simply my mother.
Her favourite saying was "Be easy, but if you can't be easy, be as easy as you can". I've always tried to live by that maxim; and I think quite successfully.
She was part Welsh, but, frankly, was far more English than Welsh. She had no hint of a Welsh accent. However, she was very proud of being a distant cousin of Wales's most famous writer (in Welsh) Islwyn Ffowc-Elis. Her Welshness was limited to always calling me a Mochyn budr (Dirty Pig); which I was! Plus all the usual greetings and farewells.
She had been something of a free spirit in her youth. With her friend Pud Cumpsty she bought an old Gypsy caravan, for weekends, which they parked on top of a hill overlooking the rolling Welsh hills, the caravan was reached by means of a Velocette motorbike, which I believe they also bought together. Many years later she bought a cottage on almost the same spot, no doubt to rekindle old memories.
I suppose my mother's most interesting achievement in life was knowing the Latin names, common names, and regional names, for most garden plants. Her knowledge of unusual regional names was quite extraordinary, and it's a shame that she never wrote it all down.
However, her two 'great claims to fame' were, firstly, as a wartime Red Cross Nurse she was the only one to deliver a baby on the pavement. She was working in Dormansland, a Surrey village where many of London's pregnant women were sent to be away from bombs, and give birth. Secondly she discovered a plot by German Prisoners of War to escape their camp at Lingfield Racecourse. Whilst walking her dog, she'd noticed a build-up of earth in a small stream, and tipped off the guards. They found a tunnel, and all was well. She received several letters from The Queen for her nursing work, but just a vague thank you for foiling the escape plot.
I wish her a very Happy birthday, which sadly will go unheard.
43 comments:
2021 minus 1914 = 107 years. Would love to see copies of the letters from the Queen. Ihave never heard of them.
My maths was never a strong point. Yes, I still have the letters in a folio back in England. I think there are 2 or 3. I'll try to remember to send copies.
Thanks, I look forward to receiving them. They can go on the Family Tree.
She sounds like a wonderful mother. And produced two fine free spirited children
She was also a dam builder (streams mostly), and a tree climber.
Your mum sounds awesome. I believe that she will hear your birthday wishes.
One of my grandsons is 3 today!
I had a little accident on a Velocette when I was 17. Boyfriend took a corner too quickly and we slid on the gravel at the side of the country lane....our knees stopped the bike. I still have the scar!
Your Mam sounds like a lovely woman and I am sure that she would be very proud of you!.While she lives on in your heart,she will hear you say Happy Birthday to her.And I would like to say Happy Birthday to her too!xx
I wouldn't describe her as 'awesome'; she always did her best for us, was a good cook, and made sure we had most of what we required. A typical mother!
My mother was born in 1914, so her Velocette must have been a model circa 1934. I have seen a photo of it; it looks like something you'd see in a museum.
Thank you, on her behalf. Yes, she was a very nice person; I miss her.
What a wonderfully interesting lady. You were very fortunste to have such a lovely person as your mother. Birthday greetings to her, or should that be penblwydd hapus!
Its nice to celebrate birthdays even if friends are relations are no longer with us.
A chance to sit and remember.
Oh yes...you are therefore a cousin to my children....
A lovely remembering of your mother. She may know you are thinking of her today - after all, 'There are more things in Heaven and Earth...'. Look out for robins today. xx
I hope her Welsh stretched as far as that. Thank you.
I always remember my old chum, Jock's, birthday. But as it falls on Feb 14th, I can hardly forget.
We had an agreement that if she wished to contact me (if such a thing is possible) she would show me a sign via a four-leaf clover. Until today, no such sign has arrived.
Mothers do not have to been anything other than your loving mother, I adored mine, as 1 of 9 children, mum was always busy but we were well cared for, she made most of our clothes. Sadly she has been gone for 15 years, but I have letters and cards from her, which I do like to look at.
I agree, we don't need our mothers to be like Sophia Loren or Mother Theresa, just to be pleasant, bake good cakes, and take us to the sea every so often.
Your mum looks and sounds lovely! Happy memories to you and Happy Birthday to her!
Thank you on her behalf. She was a good stick.
I disagree. Your mother's most noteworthy achievement was bringing little Cro Magnon into the world, endlessly changing his soiled nappies and helping him to eat - tasking that are now of course undertaken by Lady Magnon.
That was lovely to read and her birthday is now known to us bloggers so, not forgotten. She sounded lovely. XXXZx
I always wonder how my children will remember me. If they will think of me or whether their lives will simply move ahead once I'm going, and never think on me again, except at spring time when the lilacs bloom and they say, "Remember how mom always loved the lilacs?" Your post to your mother was wonderful.
Lovely tribute to her though Cro.
What nice memories of you mother, who sounds far more outward looking and interesting than my own.
Her only failure was to stop me swearing.
It's the first time I've remembered her birthday here on this page. I should have done it before.
Of course they'll remember you; you were the most important person in their lives.
She had her moments of notoriety. I think she'd be happy that I recounted them.
I think you and your mother have a more interesting relationship than I did with mine.
It has been said, that often the last thoughts of a person who is dying, is of their mother.
Your mother is a lovely looking woman and I see some resemblance to her in your son and grandsons.
Happy Birthday Cro's mum! She looks lovely, there's nobody like your own mum is there? I miss mine dreadfully but I like to think she's always there with me.
My youngest son certainly has her look. They do say that the last people to remember you are your grandchildren... so always be nice to them.
You only get one proper mother, and normally they should be the most important person in your life.
What a wonderful post today.
My Mum did many things well and had an artist eye with everything she did. But what was one of her gifts was she could grow just about anything. I swear she could put a stick into the earth and it would grow and bloom. Amazing.
I miss her so much.
What is the "whakapapa" (genealogy) link to Islwyn - I am sure you must have researched it.
My mother's birthday is February 4, 1917. If still here, she would be celebrating 104 years. She is the best part of me. Thank you for celebrating your mother's birthday day.
My mother was very green-fingered too. She also loved flower arranging.
I have absolutely no idea, other than she was very proud of the link. I certainly don't have the time or will to research such things.
I certainly learnt a lot more from my mother than I did from my father, and for that I thank her.
Glad to hear you are keeping busy this winter. I know you often find time drags in winter.
I'm just catching up after a few missed days. That was a beautiful post and a heartwarming read.
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