UR GR8 MUM

Today, apart from packing gels, antibiotics, the unopened copy of the The Lonely Planet ‘China’ guide and other travelling essentials like hair straighteners and knitting we are pausing to reflect that it is Mother’s Day. It’s a curious phenomenon this build up to and focus on the role of being a mother for this one day. On one view what did any mother do to deserve being served lukewarm, runny scrambled eggs with slightly overcooked toast in bed too early on the only day she might sleep in? 

On another view why does there need to be a special day to pause and reflect on mothers and their significance? Do we need to be reminded to do this?  According to the online font of all wisdom, the original intention of Mothers’ Day was to appreciate and honour your mother by writing a personal letter, by hand, expressing, love and gratitude - presumably for the life time of love, sacrifice and selflessness etc etc. So, like all daughters and sons, we too are pausing to acknowledge our beautiful Mums, the ones with us and the ones who are not and are really missed, to say Mum thank you, you did a great job and we love you.

Each of us is blessed to be a mother too. Between us we are leaving our 11 beautiful children to manage their daily lives while we swan off to conquer the Sino construction and the Silk Road markets. Yet another act of selflessness and role modelling as we demonstrate that it is possible to retain your sense of humour while being a mother and attempt anything!!

(BTW Joe and Tony: we have 11 revenue generators between us - that’s 2.75 each, which is significantly greater than the Australian fertility rate of 1.87. So we are looking forward to an exemption on Tuesday night in view of our contribution to the fiscal imbalance.)

We think it is possible that one of our 11 precious dependents might be moved to send us a message while we are away on our adventure. We are not presuming that such a message might express gratitude and awe, as so many of the messages received from our precious treasure is often of a different kind. 

Here’s a list of some messages that we suggest you do not send to us while we are away. Send them to your fathers instead (hahahaha)

I’m thinking of changing from Commerce….
Can I have a small gathering at yours on Saturday?
It's about the car….
It was on sale and I have been eyeing it for ages and it was $60 - go halves?
Do you know where my blue PE shirt is?
What blog?
The vet says that’s a normal reaction after surgery
So I wash wool jumpers in hot water, right?
It’s a stupid rule - why does it matter if I drive two people after 9 pm on my red Ps anyway
I can’t believe she borrowed my buckskin boots without asking - can you talk to her about it 
You need to print, sign and scan this permission note and send it to school in the next hour
Um who is the car insured with?
What’s for dinner?

But along with all the other lists we have left behind we thought a list of possible messages, comments etc that you could send us might be useful. We suggest however that you make the effort to paraphrase or at least look up an online theaurus to replace one of the words so we don’t feel we are receiving a quick cut and paste job - that might be awkward. Here’s some suggestions: 

Mama you look so good in that t-shirt
You are so cool
ILY
The FGMS are so special and I’m so thrilled that UR getting to spend time with them
You are like totally FAB
Look at those legs etc etc 
Wow that’s impressive (do not add at your age)
UR GR8 MUM
Mum this blog is SOOOOOOOOO funny ROTFLUTS

1 day to go…….

P.S. no dodgy eggs or burnt toast for Louise this morning - u can be lucky