To Lyndylooloopops on the 33rd anniversary of becoming a mum…
You…
- Gave up more than I will ever know, including your career as a textile designer, to raise and give us both the best start in life possible.
- Spent hours teaching me how to read, by patiently recreating sentences using home-made ‘flash cards’ from cornflake boxes.
- Promised yourself when I was born that you would always tell me I was beautiful and would never criticise me. This has given me unparalleled self-confidence and only hope I can instil the same confidence in my own children.
- Inspired and encouraged my interest to pursue a career in fashion from an early age. And because of you, I knew exactly what I always wanted to do from the age of eight. Not many people can say that.
- Know me better than anyone else and continue to teach me important life lessons. The most recent being that ‘people are more important than things’.
- Bought me my first Prada bag when I was 18. And have even more shoes than me (an impressive collection).
- Should be welcomed by Fidel Castro every time you go to Cuba, considering you’re probably their most frequent visitor and investor in local tourism.
- Are still my first phone call when I have any news. And my first text when I land in a foreign country.
- Have already insisted that your grandchildren must never, ever, refer to you as ‘Granny’. Even though the mere hint of any grandchildren is a long way off.
- Always stood by me, giving me the confidence to believe in myself and rise above the bullies who made secondary school a miserable place to be.
- Had to he held back by dad from dropping everything and rushing to our side when we had our car crash in Arizona. Instead you arranged for us to convalesce at Lucy’s in Miami (safe in the knowledge we were at least with family).
- Taught me how to be frugal and economical when it came to day to day purchases, and instead save the cash for the things that are important in life; nice houses, holidays, shoes and handbags.
- Have extraordinary organisational skills and love to host amazing parties. Be it catering for a summer garden party for 50 or one of your many festive lunches in the run up to Christmas. Huntingdon Road parties are known to be legendary due to the effort you and Dad put in (especially when you get a noise pollution complaint from the council).
- Have a wonderful collection of original Biba that you saved up for as a teenager and are slowly donating to my own mini collection.
- Never minded that your home became the weekend ‘drop in centre’ for noisy teenage sleepovers and late night post-clubbing munchies all the way through the 90’s.
- Taught me from an early age that being different was a good thing. This was a tough lesson; no one wants to stand out when you’re a young teenager, but thanks to you, I’d sooner stand out in the crowd than blend in.
- Know more about fashion and the latest trends than I do, even though my career means I’m immersed in the industry and always working 12 months ahead.
- Always make sure we have an amazing Christmas, ensuring the fridge is fully stocked, the champagne is flowing and the beds made for the constantly changing guests, waifs and strays you welcome into your home every year.
- Selflessly put your life, including your job, on hold for nearly a year to move in with and look after Granny when she had cancer. That time you spent with her meant more to her than we will ever know.
- Are a caring, generous and deeply loyal friend. This sometimes means you get hurt, but you have always taught me it is better to be generous with your time and love than to be selfish.
- Are beautiful, very intelligent, have a wicked sense of humour and an adventurous spirit that I like to think I’ve inherited.
- Maybe don’t know this, but all my friends think you’re the coolest mum (and I do too).
- Are someone I would have loved to have met before you were my mother.
You are an inspiration to what I can only hope to be one day.
All my love, AD xx