With Mother's Day just around the corner, we asked our readers to tell us what makes their mum so great. Here's what they had to say:
'If I become half the woman she is, I will be well and truly grateful' - Bryony-Ann Cornish, Dickleburgh
My mum is the most incredible woman I know. She is constantly putting both myself and my sister before anyone else and this is something I will always be grateful for. She works so hard everyday and gives 100pc in everything she does and this I will always be inspired by. Even when I was younger and I was ill all I needed to get through it was her and this has not changed today. If I become half the woman she is, I will be well and truly grateful. I love you mum.
'First she was my mother, but she's forever my friend' - Geraldine Scott, Norwich
Growing up, for a lot of the time it was just me and my mum. She didn't have all that much money, and we didn't live in the nicest of areas, but what she did have was a lot of time for me. She pushed me to enjoy education, reading and being creative. And she gave me a childhood full of laughter, friends and memories. Everything I have done has been with the aim of making her proud, and now as an adult, she's my best friend who knows every detail about my life, and she's the only person I want to call when I'm down. There's a family in-joke that everything – looks, humour, talent – comes from my grandmother, my mother's mother (or at least that's what she used to say). For me, everything I have today has come from my own mother, because of the brilliant start she gave me, her encouragement, support and unfailing love. First she was my mother, but she's forever my friend.
'A brilliant grandmother to my sons' - Liz Nice, Bury St Edmunds
My mum is a determined character. She gave up work to have me and always says my dad was keen for her to have a baby because she had started earning more than him! She was resolute that no man was more important than doing my best at school, though she paid little heed to my achievements - they were just expected. I struggle to impress her, even now. She is tiny but fierce, especially with me, though my brothers can twist her around their fingers. She was a brilliant ballroom dancer who appeared on Coming Dancing (as it was then) but she told me not to bother with that as I had two left feet. Instead, she pushed me into what she decided I was good at - writing. When I left university, she told me there was a job going at the local paper: 'I might apply,' I said. 'I've already done the application,' she replied. She used to take me to gymkhanas as a child and if I messed up in a race, she would say that I had 'let my pony down'. Even now, I would consider letting my pony down to be the ultimate disgrace, though I haven't owned a horse since 2003. Mum is now a counsellor, works full time in the family business she runs with my brother, does charity work for The Lullaby Trust and is a brilliant grandmother. She lets my sons do whatever they want. Bet she'd even let them let their ponies down, if they had them.
'The most wonderful person to have as a mother' - Le-Anne Burman, Ipswich
My mum, Glenda Thorpe, is an inspiration to me and my sister and should be to anyone. She has severe multiple sclerosis and many other health issues and is cared for by our wonderful dad and carers. She is such a happy person and never lets life get her down. She is confined to her bed for 50pc of the week, yet when we Facetime she is always smiling and giggling. She always sees the good in people and is the most wonderful person to have as a mother.
'If it weren't for her, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today' - Courtney Pochin, Norwich
For 22, (almost 23) years now, my mum has been the most constant part of my life, always there whenever I needed her, giving up many things in order to single-handedly raise my sister and I. She worked tirelessly, not always doing what she might have liked, but never complaining in order to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads - it was a tough job, but somehow she did it with style and grace. As well as this, she's always encouraged me to try new things, putting my hopes and dreams before her own. She made me read to her at night and poured over my terrible stories, diligently acting as if reading a J.K. Rowling novel and not the ridiculous ravings of an 11 year old. If it weren't for her, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. So thanks mum, for all you do and all I'm sure you'll continue to do over the next 22 years of my life.
• Do you have ana amazing story to share about your mum? Email courtney.pochin@archant.co.uk
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