Happy (belated) Mother's Day!

Sorry I've been so quiet on the blogging front lately, I've had quite a bit on my plate and have struggled to come up with something (anything!) positive or funny or inspiring to say to you all!

Almost a month ago now, I lost my sister to terminal bowel cancer. She was only 32 years old. Her children had to spend this Mother's Day - their first of many - without her.

Now, I know what you're thinking, how is this a positive blog post - but stick with me, I'm getting to it. Because of what I've been going through, I have come to appreciate and feel an intense gratitude for those people in my life who have been mentors, positive influences, pillars of strength and maternal figures to me, in the absence of my own mother.

One of these people for me, was my sister, who, while growing up as a very young child, took on a maternal role in guiding me and protecting me, and it's not until I've lost her that I have been able to fully appreciate her influence in my very early years.

Mother's Day has now been and gone and for many of you it would have been a day celebrated with your little laners. But I guess I just wanted to give a special shout out to those who've lost, and also to those who've found support through other means. And to give a big thank you to those (like my sister and so many others in my life) who fulfill that maternal role for those without. There are so many of us who for whatever reason rely on support from those who are not out biological mothers. They could be aunts, friends, anyone you've stumbled across on life's journey. I think Mother's Day is the perfect time to acknowledge these people. And I would also like to acknowledge my nieces and nephew, who will now rely on others to provide that maternal support as they grow older.

If you are someone who mentors or supports those who are without family (specifically mums given this recent occasion), thank you. Thank you so, so very much.

And if you are a mum in the trenches everyday, battling on, being a warrior, and supporting your own in this mothering gig, a big hats off to you too. You deserve it. The role we have been cast is not an easy one, and you are brave for accepting the challenge each and every day.

For my sister - thank you. For all that you were to me, when I had no one else. I won't ever forget.

Happy belated Mother's Day, laners. I will be back with a funny story or two about my munchkins in the next week. Promise!

Much love,

Tara xxxxxxxx