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Editorial: In honour of all the mothers out there

EditorialThe West Australian
Happy Mother’s Day.
Camera IconHappy Mother’s Day. Credit: StockSnap/Pixabay

In 2017 The Sunday Times asked readers why they loved their mums.

The response was instant — and quite extraordinary.

Hundreds of sons and daughters sat down with a pen in hand or a keyboard at their fingertips and thoughtfully paid tribute to their mothers.

There was a simple message within each letter — cherish your mum.

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In our readers’ own words, mums are special, selfless, amazing, heroic, patient, wise, funny, playful, beautiful, kind, courageous, strong, sensitive, inspiring, incredible, brave, artistic, stylish and caring.

And as The Sunday Times reveals today, while the journey to motherhood can be so very different for different women, the joy of being a mum is universal.

When Nadia Rosa fell pregnant, people told her that life for her and her partner, West Coast Eagles defender Tom Barrass, would never be the same.

They told her to sleep while she could, and that the love they’d feel for their child would defy comprehension.

They were right, of course, but “you don’t really get it until it happens to you,” Rosa said.

In STM today, Rosa opens up on their love story and how being mum to six-month-old Billy Antony Barrass — his middle name a tribute to his grandfather, renowned journalist Tony Barrass, who died last year — was her “greatest achievement.”

Rosa said being a mother was “probably the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but also the most rewarding and fulfilling . . . I feel very lucky”.

Also in today’s magazine, “unexpected mother” and Sunday Times columnist Kate Emery explores the experiences of others like her — women who never planned on children until an unplanned pregnancy or sudden change of heart.

And in Body + Soul magazine, Jesinta Franklin, a former Miss Universe Australia and partner of AFL legend Lance “Buddy” Franklin, reveals how lucky she feels to be a mother after suffering through several miscarriages.

“Mother’s Day was something I’d dream about when I didn’t have children, not because of the presents or the celebration but just the fact of being a mum and to feel how special that was,” Franklin tells Body + Soul.

“It’s a day that reminds you of what a miracle it is, whether it comes easily for you or it’s more of a challenge.”

And challenging is a word that describes what the past two years of the pandemic has been for many families.

The COVID restrictions would have meant many families sharing their Mother’s Day catch ups from a safe distance.

For some it might have meant flowers left at a door and a call to say there was a gift outside.

Or perhaps sharing a glass of something refreshing while sitting on fold-up chairs at opposite ends of the front porch.

So for those families who are now able to get together to celebrate the day, this year is likely to be extra special.

No doubt there will be special hugs and kisses for mums and from mums who can finally be reunited with their kids and in many cases, their grandkids too.

So to all mums across the State, happy Mother’s Day.

Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by WAN Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie

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