Mothering Sunday - a child at any age.

Today is Mothering Sunday 2018 in England. My Mum has long since passed away. I am happy that I have happy memories of her. However, it is one Mothering Sunday in Suffolk that I am so grateful for. As my parents became older, Dad found it hard to do things and so we sold their home and mine in Essex and we all moved as a family to a farmhouse in Suffolk. The Church was part of a Benefice of 5 Parishes and on this particular day we were at Monks Eleigh Church. As is the custom, the Parishioners had made posies of Violets for the Rector to hand out to the children who came up to the Altar Rail for them to give to their Mothers. I did not go up as I was already in my 50's by then and too mature / shy / fearful of looking childish.  When most of the children had gone up, the man in the pew behind touched me on the shoulder and whispered that I should go up. Nervously and with embarrassment  I did go up and collected the posy which I gave to Mum. I am so glad now, over 15 years later, that I did go up and collect the flowers as Mum is no longer here and I would have regretted my missed opportunity. Thank you to the man who's name I do not remember. I know that he lived in Back Lane, Monks Eleigh. Today, I bought a small bunch of flowers which I have put in one of Mum's vases that she put some of the flowers in for her 50th Wedding Anniversary. The vase of flowers is in the hall next to a photo of her. You may wonder why I didn't go to the grave today. The reason is simple; Mum told me, not long before she died, not to keep going to the graves as she would not be there. I did however go on the anniversary of her birth and I planted some more plants and flowers on Mum's and Dad's graves. I never acknowledge death dates, that is just me as I prefer to remember birth dates. I am so lucky that I did get that posy and that I have no regrets with regard to Mum.