He Tore A Hamstring Dot Mee Dot UK

Mum’s the Word

If, like me, you are intrigued by insignificant trivia, you may wonder about the origins of the title phrase above. According to Wikipedia, its origins can be traced to 15th Century, where “Mum” was a Middle English word meaning “silent”, possibly derived from the “mmm” sound made when one tries to speak with lips closed.

“Seal up your lips and give no words but mum” (Henry VI, Part II – William Shakespeare)

Of course, the word ‘mum’ is absolutely apt today, the fourth Sunday of Lent, known in the Church as Laetare Sunday and across the UK as Mothering Sunday. It is only in the UK, Ireland and Nigeria, that Mother’s Day is celebrated synonymously. I noted the phrase #mumsday amongst many trending topics on Twitter today, an indication of the importance of this day in family life across the UK.

Mother’s are special in many ways … as are Fathers, but we’ll talk about them when they have their day in the Summer!! Maybe it is the ubiquitous omnipresence of mothers to their children, and the fact that despite society possibly altering traditional gender roles, there has always been something magically comforting about a mother’s presence, from a cut knee in the playground through to the situations which will affect adult life.

I know that my mum has been a constant in my life, the bedrock around which my persona has been built. She has seen me through tears of both pain and joy, most latterly through the death of my fiancée. I am so thankful for the values, the freedom of expression, and the compassion which have been qualities I have attempted to ensure in myself. This is not a fairy tale, so I should make it clear that there has been more than the odd argument over the years, and I’m not gracious enough to admit that I was always in the wrong

Most importantly, I trust that mum had a lovely mother’s day, and that all of the deserving mothers celebrating today, were spoilt and pampered appropriately.

I could not help reflecting today about those wonderful mothers who have lost their children during the last year, particularly those in the Armed Forces, and equally those children who have lost mothers. It will have been a most difficult day for many. I think of 2 good friends who have today faced Mother’s Day for the first time since the passing of their Mothers, but I know that their mums would have been so proud looking down on them.

Personally, I thought of the Mother-in-Law that never was. Last Mother’s Day, I found myself rather full, having had lunch with my own mum only to find myself later having afternoon tea with my fiancée Dani, and her lovely mum Cathy. It is a source of untold sadness that they are no longer with us.

As with all such ‘holidays’, every person’s happiness betrays another’s grief. This is why I encourage all of us to embrace life fully, not to become embittered in petty feuds, and to appreciate your friends and family, mothers of course very prominent on that list.