by jillberry102

My shero

There are many women who have inspired me in the past, and who continue to do so today – and #WomenEd has been the vehicle which has brought me into contact with so many of them!  But, at the moment, the woman who is particularly on my mind is my mum, Iris Barker, who I have known for almost 60 years and who has been unfailingly loving, supportive and proud of me throughout this time.  This morning I was with her at breakfast when she received a visit from a new Social Services carer, and as I left the room I could hear mum starting to tell this young South African girl about ‘Making the Leap’!

Mum is 95 now, and not in the best of health, but I still love her company, and know she enjoys mine.  Despite the difficulties we are dealing with together as she grows frailer, we still find things to laugh about, she still tells me she loves me every day and, whenever I leave her, she always thanks me for what I’ve done for her.

I consider myself extremely fortunate in having a parent who has always taken an ‘Of course you can!’ approach to anything I have attempted – personal or professional.  Although she left school at 15, before the 1944 Education Act, as did many of her generation, she is a bright, interesting, thoughtful woman, and she always had respect for and faith in my educational opportunities which she could see would open doors for me.  Although she, sadly, didn’t enjoy a positive relationship with her own mother, she has been a wonderful mum to her own children.

I love you, mum – and thank you.

Photo credit: John Berry – taken on Christmas Day, 2017.

(Postscript: Mum passed away on 12th February 2018.  This is difficult to process at the moment – I will miss her so much! – but she died in her own home, which is what she wanted, I was with her, and John was there too.  She seemed to have no pain or distress at the end, and, reflecting on the time I’ve spent with her, particularly since she became ill at New Year, I don’t feel there is anything important left unsaid or left undone.  I am privileged and lucky.)

19 thoughts on “My shero”

  1. Jill that’s so lovely. Your Mum reminds me so much of mine. She still inspires me every day even though I sadly lost her in May of last year. You’ve inspired me to write about her and some other very special women who are my Sheroes. Thanks X

    Like

    Reply
  3. Pingback: My grandmother, my mother; my sheroes | A Roller In The Ocean
  4. Pingback: My grandfathers, my father; my heroes | A Roller In The Ocean

  5. Jill, sending much love to you and John. Treasure every memory. Your mum was blessed to have such an incredible daughter. X

    Like

    Reply

  6. What a great sadness for you and the family, but I hope that will be lessened by the strong, happy recollections of a lady who had a lifetime well lived and much loved. Cx

    Like

    Reply

  7. What an inspirational woman! Just like my mum. Aren’t we lucky to have had such an amazing love and support? However hard it is to lose someone we love, it’s the price we pay for that love and it’s worth every penny. We are who we are owing to that support. You are very much in my thoughts, Jill. Julia x

    Like

    Reply

  9. Oh Jill that’s so beautiful and I am so very sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. You are indeed extremely lucky to have had such a marvellous mother and special relationship. Xx

    Like

    Reply
  11. Pingback: And….exhale. – jillberry102
  12. Pingback: #Nurture1819 – jillberry102

Leave a comment