mothers day

I could discuss all the important and loving things about mothers but, in reality, not all of us are lucky to have mothers. I’m not saying that was the case for me but I’m very aware that I’m lucky to have my mother in my life. Sometimes, the lead female figure of our lives is an auntie, grandmother or even someone who isn't related to you at all! So, instead, I’m going to share memories of the women in my life who I hold with the utmost importance and respect.

"Each core memory will always involve laughter with my mum, even if it was unintentional"

My mother: As a single mum, life hasn't exactly been kind to her. During my childhood my grandparents lived abroad, so when it came to having someone to look after me if my dad couldn't, there wasn’t exactly anyone she could lean onto as comfort except her sister. This  didn’t stop her from always trying to put a smile on my face; it could be arranging the food on my plate to resemble a face, sliding me down her legs as if we were at the park, always taking me on day trips into London when she could - she pretty much booked off every half term at work for me - and, honestly, she did the most to just have a good time laughing. Each core memory will always involve laughter with my mum, even if it was unintentional, such as calling kitchen towel ‘chicken chow’ or trying to take her coat off and somehow wrapping her bag around her neck instead. 

My Grandmother (mum): My two greatest memories with Yiayia Sugar (yiayia = grandmother in Greek), is teaching me how to cook and educating me on all the family stories. I distinctly remember cleaning fresh okra together, as well as rolling vine leaves to make koubebia/dolmades. Her family stories could last a whole holiday! I’ve always had an interest in who I am, where I’m from and who I’m related to and if anyone knew all this information it was Yiayia Sugar. We’ve an ancestor who travelled to Greece to fight in the War of Independence in 1821, her grandfather was a priest and she also knew a lot about my grandfather’s family. If it wasn’t food or family history, it was telling us about the Spanish/Mexican soap operas on TV, whether we were interested or not…

"I completely get it because I definitely got the love of hosting from her. She makes dinner parties magical"

My Grandmother (dad): I never got to see my grandmother who I’m named after that often either, as she didn’t live in London. Sometimes she would come down to stay but as she wasn’t very well, since before I was born, it wasn’t often. She was my protector! When dad would tell me off for not finishing my plate of food, for example, or doing something he didn’t agree with, if she was around and heard him she would not hesitate to step in and tell him to leave me alone. Being surrounded by men for years (a husband and two sons), I sometimes think she felt an extra sense of protection towards me because she knew what the men in this family were like. She loved to have a drink! Not that she was a drinker but at birthdays or religious events her signature dish was trifle and boy was she loose-handed with the brandy. Her choice of tipple during or after dinner was a shandy. Also, the English language was not her forté; sausages = sosinja and courgettes = croquettes (adding the Greek accent for a bit of spice!)

My auntie: Mum’s sister has always been my second mother. As I said before, during school holidays if both parents couldn’t get the time off work I’d always stay with her and my cousins, who weren't that much older than me. She was a teacher so you can’t deny the convenience of it. My auntie has always been a caretaker. Even though I wasn’t in my own home, the comfort of knowing I had ‘mum’ to clean my clothes, make sure I was fed and organising activities for us to do, she did it all. She still hasn’t quite retired from doing it all! She still loves to arrange three/four course family feasts and I completely get it because I definitely got the love of hosting from her. She makes dinner parties magical, such as giving us all a Valentine’s gift during a dinner close to Valentine’s Day. I’m definitely looking forward to more family meals now that we have my little niece, her granddaughter, who I know she’s going to continue the fun with.

Rhéa x