Dear Mum… Thank-you

Dear Mum,

I have always struggled to find the words to perfectly encapsulate the love I have for you onto a few pieces of A4 paper, but I’ve given it my best shot.

You brought me into this world almost 17 years ago and haven’t had a good night sleep since (sorry about the baby wake up calls and sick nights and now morning sport).

Yet, through these 17 years of sleepless nights and the occasional argument, you’ve raised me to be a fearless woman, who can hold her own, build herself up and love who she is, inside and out.

We’re not like the others, which is the best thing about you and me, mum, because our relationship is built on boldness and dreams and stories.

And it’s because of you that I can proudly say that I got it from my mum.

You push me to put myself out there and work hard on my blog, because there is ‘no harm in trying’.

You drive me to continually search for new ideas, because there is always a story out there to be told.

You continue to be my biggest cheerleader, even when I feel like I can’t make it.

Your wisdom and open mind has helped me to stretch my vision out of its comfort zone and to take every chance with a smile on my face.

Your work ethic is something I strive to achieve. Not only do you love what you do, but you work hard to consistently grow your skill set and help others too.

You make me proud, as a daughter, who can look up to a woman who is full of so much grace, so much power and persistence, yet so much patience, care and understanding.

Thank-you, for every sacrifice. For my education, my home, my opportunities, the roof over my head, the gifts, the driving lessons, the food, the list that is endless.

Thank-you for the late-night chats in the kitchen, when the boys are in bed and you want to be too, but you’ll stay up and just listen to me pour out my heart when you least expect it.

Thank-you for putting up with my sporting rants, my story ideas and my play-by-play analysis of every game, every week.

Thank-you for the laughs and the genuine care and the endless support, not just with writing, but with anything I set my mind to.

Thank-you for creating a life for me where I can receive an amazing education, at school but at home too.

Thank-you for being the broken heart healer, the advice giver, the carer, the believer; my believer.

 

You always tell me that everything should be taken and given in moderation, but I think the love I have for you is the only exception.

It’s infinite (and a half).

 

Love, your proud and grateful daughter, Anna

About Anna Pavlou

Anna 'Pav' Pavlou is a current student and a born and bred Melburnian who has a passion for sport and sharing people's stories. She is an intern journalist for AFL VICTORIA and writes for The Roar, the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA Media), the Mongrel Punt and is a Melbourne Cricket Club contributor. She also appears on North West FM 98.9 radio show. Most winter weekends you'll find her down at the Ross Gregory Oval in St Kilda, supporting Power House FC, who play in Division 2 in the VAFA. She works as the Division 2 writer for the VAFA. She completed work experience with 3AW Radio and has been published in The Age as well as with Carlton FC and Geelong Cats. Check out her website below for more sport pieces!

Comments

  1. Colin Ritchie says

    Beautifully written Anna! Your words made me reflect upon my mum, wishing I had written such heartfelt thanks to her while she was still alive. I’m certain your mother will treasure these words you have penned and she must be immensely proud of you. Well done!

  2. Cat from the Country says

    Congratulations to your Mum, Anna.
    You are a great product of herr efforts in raisig you.
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both

  3. Kasey Symons says

    What a lovely Christmas gift you have given to your mother in writing these beautiful words to her. She sounds like a super mum.

  4. Hi Anna,

    It’s a lovely letter to your mum and I admire your showing the love to her and your strives for the future and goals.

    I think your mum is proud of you as well as is your dad. Wish you all having a wonderful holiday.

    Merry Christmas to you all!

    Yoshi

  5. Jennifer Muirden says

    Anna, such a beautiful tribute to your Mum which I read with tears rolling down my cheeks. Having lost my beautiful mother almost 12 years ago now your thoughts and reflections resonate strongly with me. Cherish your Mum and the strong relationship you enjoy each and every waking moment you have with her. Remember how precious it is to be alive and to feel love. Saintly and sisterly regards to you Anna, Jen M.

  6. Beautiful, Anna.

  7. Well done Anna, so young and writing between yiur love of sport and here your mum.
    In your world (and I have to say mine too) we are consumed by short messages most frequently.
    At ?17 it is great to see you are exploring ideas and thoughts and putting those thoughts into words…. words, paragraphs etc and I think in putting those words out there, publicly, you get to take another step back and look at them.. and to analyse again at furtger distance.
    I’m no expert but I do feel writing has an important role in deciphering
    ones own position within the world at a given point in time.
    Keep on exploring.
    Kate

  8. Jennifer Muirden says

    Mother daughter connection never to be underestimated.

  9. Jenni Pavlou says

    Thank you for the beautiful words Anna. So proud of you. Love Mum xx

  10. That is a lovely Christmas present to your mother, Anna.

  11. Peter Fuller says

    Anna & Jenni,
    It seems that you deserve each other; congratulations Anna on this superb piece of writing with its beautifully-expressed emotions. As other comments have suggested you’ve prompted us to think of our own mothers.
    I loved your reference to being fearless, which is how we want all young people, especially young women, to face the challenges of the world. That justifies congratulations to Jenni, she’s obviously done a brilliant job of raising you and developing your talents.
    Your comment about her being your biggest cheerleader even when you think you can’t make it resonated powerfully for me. I’m four times your age (but less wise even now than you demonstrably already are) and my Mum departed the scene seven and a half years ago. In my eulogy I mentioned that she had kept faith in me – and her other children – even when we’d lost faith in ourselves. Happily I said it to her while she was alive. Your Mum certainly knows what she means to you.

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