On the shoulders of giants

To mother is to nurture, to protect, to love. One can be a mother in many ways and in lots of different scenarios. Giving birth is a wonderful thing, but not every mother experiences that, and being a mother, or mother figure, is so much more. So much more difficult and rewarding, complicated and beautiful.

An encouraging smile, or kind word can give a child the confidence to take the first step towards where they want to go in life, wherever that may be. A little girl like me growing up in Derby, doodling dresses on the phonebook and gathering scraps of fabric to make Avant Garde dresses for her dolls. Like a beautiful flower, lovingly watered and thriving in the sun, over time that confidence grows and eventually the child grows up and, before they know it, it’s their turn to nurture the next generation.

What a wonderful cycle and immense privilege. My mum, Josephine, was my earliest champion and my constant cheerleader. She will always be sorely missed but, thanks to her, I’ll always feel the sun on my face. There are many more people who mothered me over the years, and still do. My sister, friends, mother in law, aunts, my niece and many, many more. It really does take a village and I often think about how much we owe to those who made sure we were placed in the light.

Thank you to the mothers, mums and mother figures in our lives. We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants.

Love, Kate xx