My Mothers Teacup...

 

I had no idea that when I bought this teacup for my Mum, that she would no longer be with us within the year.

 

I had no idea that this would be the last Mothers Day we would spend together.

 

We gathered in our leafy garden, under the Poinciana trees, and felt the warm bond of family weave it's magic over us. We are a large family and occasions where we all gather together in unison, are rare. She was smiling and happy and radiated contentment.

 

I remember being cross at my brother because he'd neglected to give buy her a gift. She didn't care of course, and only now that I am older, do I understand that the greatest gift was to have us all there together.

 

Seven weeks later, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

 

Twelve weeks after that, she was gone.

 

She had turned 60 just three weeks before.

 

Nearly twelve years later, we still miss her loving presence in our lives.

 

Treasure your Mum this Mothers Day.

 

No-one knows what the future holds.

 

This teacup is used most often as a small vase. I fill it with rosebuds or gardenias or a single hibiscus, depending upon the season. I sit it beside a photo of Mum, smiling and radiant as she was that last Mothers Day.

 

I cannot bring myself to drink from it.

 

It was Mums teacup. It still is.

 

What a wonderful Matriarch she was. She raised seven of us alone, in an era when single Mothers were rare. We all turned out pretty darn well, thankyou very much.

 

Wherever she is now, I know she looks down upon us all proudly and with a sense of satisfaction.

 

Job well done, Mum. Job well done.

 

...Mimi...