Postcards from My Yesterday: Mamma Used To Say

...a whole lot of things that I will always remember.

Take the following for instance:

Whilst encouraging me to improve my grammar and general vocabulary she would spin off the following;

"if you cannot say what you mean, you cannot mean what you say".

She had a thing about manners and would scold me bitterly if I ever forgot those two simple words, "please" and "thank you".

When I would complain about being bored she would declare that;

"only boring people get bored". Hence I was seldom bored I ALWAYS found something to do.

I actually cite my mother on a daily basis especially...is that a strange thing to do?

I used to believe that my mum must have been a griot in a former life (if such a thing is possible). She had this incredible story telling technique! Never once did she refer to a book. She would ask us for a word and spin off a narrative of mythical proportions.

I like to think that I have a vivid imagination. I create entire worlds in my head. I lead myself to believe a host of highly improbable things and to be honest this can also be my biggest downfall. Either way, I think this dream soup that sloshes around in my head started way back then with my mum.

My mother said a lot of things but it is her life lessons that have stuck harder to my head and heart. I have learned so much from watching her mistakes. My own personal errors are countless, yet the memory of my mum's have saved me in inconcievable ways.

My mum was the most interesting woman I have seen. Naturally I am biased but she really was. She had alluring blue grey eyes and afro hair that went blonde ish when she spent time in the sun. She had the longest legs ever and the most perfect smile.

I thought long and hard about sharing this with my readers. Yes, this is a personal subject to share. However, I thought to myself that EVERYONE has or has had a mother at some point. It's nothing so rare after all.

I don't have many photos left of her. Just a small handful that I decided to scan just in case. She really was a phenomenal woman. I just wish I got to know her a bit better.

Incidentally! I love old photos. PROPER photos, the type that you snapped in HOPE that they will have captured the moment. In HOPE that they would turn out ok. Yet, even though they were almost never perfect...they had character, they held ambience.

I need to get me a Holga or Diana..............Add that to my wish list.

Have a wonderful weekend and buy your mums a cake or something.....you don't need mothers day to remind you.

X