My Mum

My Mum died a few weeks ago. She was 97, and lived a good life, full of love and friends and travel and good books and projects and family. She was my friend and a big part of my life. I miss her.

So, I want to pay tribute to her by writing down what I read at her funeral.

Mum, on our trip to Japan, when she was 90! And of course we brought material home with us.

I have been thinking about the many things Mum taught me, and the things I learned from her.

Mum taught me many things. She taught me to embroider and knit, both things she learnt from her much loved Nana. And I often think of them when I sew.

She taught me to use a sewing machine. I remember holiday times with when we would go up to the material shop in Moorabbin, buy material, spread the material and pattern on the lounge room floor to cut out and then set the machine up on the kitchen bench. I think she learnt to sew from her sister, Helen. Mum said that Aunty Helen could look at a frock in the shop window and come home and make it.

Mum encouraged me in every way. She loved to hear about my latest project. Dad and Mum were always enthusiastic about my art and I will miss the unconditional support they both gave me.

And I learned so much from Mum too.

I learned that reading was a central part of life. Most conversations with Mum had a book discussion tucked in there.

I learned to love gardening, to be curious, to be an enthusiastic traveller. And from her example I learnt how to be a good friend. She listened and remembered and was never judgemental. She always made you feel special and was one of those people you wanted to be with. I treasured the times I spent with her.

Mum had been a teacher until she married, and later became a Brownie leader. She had a Brownie pack in Moorabbin, but also helped to establish packs in inner city suburbs like Collingwood and Fitzroy. I used to help out at times. I learnt so much from watching her with the Brownies. Her calm and patient way with the children had a big influence when I became a teacher.

But perhaps the most important thing I learnt from Mum and Dad was about the strong bond that love brings. Their love for each other and their love for us four children showed me the power that unconditional love has. That flowed onto an acceptance and generosity towards others that came into our lives.

So many things I learnt from her, and Dad. This last one circles back to the poem I am going to read.

During the 1980’s we had a house boat up at Lake Eildon. We often went there, especially at Easter, and had some wonderful family holidays there. We would fill the houseboat up will all the necessary supplies and then just amble along until we found a good spot on the bank, where we would moor, and relax.

I loved spending time there but it took me a while to really appreciate the environment. The bush was rather scrubby, the banks were exposed and rocky. Then Mum would remark on the quality of the light ~ the soft morning light, the colours of the evening sky, the way it made the bush glow and the water sparkle.

And I began to see the place differently. I could appreciate the beauty because I saw it through Mum’s eye. And I learned that there is beauty in everything, it is just a matter of looking at it the right way.

And so to Mum’s poem, which I found in this book of quotes. I knew Mum wrote many things, but I have never known her to write poetry.

Thoughts on Eildon Lake by Ro Lawson, 17th January 1982

I love to hear the currawong,

The duck’s quark, quark and the whistler’s song.

I love to hear the magpie’s trill

The kookaburra’s call and the shrike so shrill.

I love to see the moon’s soft light,

The sunset colours all so bright.

I love to see the fern so small,

The parrot’s flight and the dead trees tall.

I love to walk in the bush each day,

See the fish go plop and the rabbits play.

I love to come where the water’s deep,

Where echidnas dig and wombats sleep.

I love to know the bush is there

For everyone to love and share.

I love to know the quiet is real,

That stars still shine and it’s peace you feel.

I love to think how it came to be,

How the tiny seed became a tree.

I love to hope in the years to come

This lake is a haven for everyone.

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I respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land on which I live, garden and contemplate my world – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People of the Kulin Nation, their spirits, ancestors, elders and community members past and present. The land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

I strongly encourage all Australians to vote Yes for an indigenous Voice to Parliament in tomorrow’s referendum.