MOTHERING SUNDAY

We had a great service at Zoom Church this morning, the fourth Sunday in Lent, when at the very beginning of the service, we were encouraged to give thanks for our Mothers and all they meant to us.

In fact, Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day, as it has become known, began as a religious event hundreds of years ago but had no connection to mothers at all, the word “Mothering” referring to the “Mother Church” - the main church or cathedral of the region.  It later became a holiday event, with many domestic servants traditionally being given the day off to go and visit their own families as well as their Mother Church.

Today, sadly, it has become rather commercialised, but it is still good to give thanks for our Mothers, with many people still sending cards and giving gifts.  However, the main thing that most people would like to give their Mother, especially today, is a great big hug, especially as this is the second lockdown when most haven’t been able to visit their Mothers.

There are many, of course, whose Mothers have died, but it is still good to honour their memory, which is why I have made a collage with my Mum, on the left, and Mr. HCB’s Mum, on the right.  Both photographs were taken on their wedding days - my Mum, Betty, in 1957 when she married for the second time and Mr. HCB’s Mum, Joan, when she got married in 1935.  They both enjoyed pottering in the garden and loved flowers, hence the primroses.

So on this Mothering Sunday, Mr. HCB and I are both grateful for our Mothers, and although they are no longer with us, we remember them with love and thanks.

“A mother is she 
     who can take the place 
          of all others 
but whose place 
     no one else can take.”
Cardinal Gaspard Mermillod : 1824-19892

PS Mr HCB is still doing well - chocolate certainly helps! His vision is less blurry every day - but he still hasn’t been out because the wind is so cold.