If there is one woman in my life who should be celebrated it is the one who has always been there for me; through thick and thin, good times and bad, happy times and sad. The woman who has loved me unconditionally my entire life. The one who took me to the school gates on day one of my educational journey, rubbed TCP on a grazed knee or two, looked after me when my appendix grumbled, and comforted me when I first encountered death – I still remember that cat fondly. This woman encouraged my reading and a general joy of books.

This woman taught me right from wrong, to respect all, to appreciate the world we live in and to take joy in the simple things in life. This woman who despite all her personal struggles and the physical pain for various reasons she has had to endure over the years has always smiled and in return I smile too. She is always there for others even when some of those others need to be there for her. It is through her love of being creative and the creativity of others that I have also been able to create and enjoy the artistic endeavours of others in all of arts many forms. 

For everything you have given me throughout my life – thank you, mum.