Mother's Day

Mummy

Happy Mother's day to my mum/best friend/rock/advisor/taxi driver/cleaner/chef/reminder.

Thank you for encouraging me to be who I want to be, do what I want to do, go where I want to go.

 You have never held me back and have supported whatever decisions I make. 

You tell me that you should have listened to your mum's advice, because in the end she was always right - as are you.

You know me better than anybody else and have done more for me than anyone else could.

Sorry for scarring you for life!

Love you.

Mentioning only my mum would have taken less time, but there are more women - who are mothers themselves - that have inspired me, influenced my decisions and had a huge impact on my life.

Nanna

Knowing you for only 2 and half years of my life could make me sad, but I'm extremely grateful that I had at least that time with you.

Hearing stories about you is one of my favourite things; I realise how alike we are and how much we would have enjoyed each other's company as I got older. Yet I feel like I do know you like I would if you were here now: Putting salt in your brother-in-law's tea instead of sugar/dunking him under water/carrying my mum by her legs into the sea - it's clear where I get the whole laughing at other people's expense thing from, along with my dry sense of humour.

Yet you had your sensitive side. I know you were a great wife to my grandad (and I quote, his "head gardener"), mother, nanna, foster mother and dog carer.

Hearing your voice and watching you on family videos is something I could never get bored of.

You will always be a part of my life, and mean as much to me as everyone that is still around now does. You're with me everywhere I go.

Love you.

Nanna Barbara

You are one of the bravest, kindest, funniest women I have ever come across.

Not many women would move from Greece to England, or any country for that matter, alone.

Your short-term memory might be lacking these days, but hearing you tell stories from years and years ago like they were last week fills me with so much happiness. 

I love the fact that you moved to England over 60 years ago yet you sound like you moved here yesterday. Especially since you make up words (just a few examples):

The Pickles = The Beatles

Knackers = Knackered

Forest putt one = Forest scored a goal

Blummy thing = Bloody thing

Motorbike = Wheelchair

The thing I regret the most in life is not being interested when you tried to teach me Greek. I would love to be able to have a conversation in your native language now.

And to anyone that has seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding: it's funny because it's true. You can't go round to a Greek woman's household and not be offered a stupid amount of food - I actually feel bad when I say no!

Thank you for being completely selfless and being a great mammy to my dad.

Love you.

Auntie Jackie

I wanted to thank you for being around so much when I was a child.

Your house was pretty much my second home - I slept over, my friends came round, I had a rabbit at your house etc.

Spending time with you was, and still is, always entertaining - for example, me doing your hair... Can't really believe you let me do that over and over again. I can actually hear you now saying 'wowww' as you looked in the mirror, obviously dead impressed with my styling techniques (essentially just tying bobbles round and putting clips in, until your head was covered).

Just for the record, your children aren't coming anywhere near my hair.

It's weird to think Aimee is now the age I was when she was born! But I had to pass the 'witch' title onto someone, and she's doing a damn good job.

I would love to spend more time with you and the girls over Summer. So if you ever need a break, I'll happily babysit (if I can keep the witches in separate rooms).

Also, thanks for my dog.

Love you.

xxx