Three years ago this very moment....

...my dad passed away.

Three years. Wow.

Although.... I've decided to make this post about someone else, whose had just as much influence on me as my dad - my mother.

Mum. When I hear that word. Mum. I think of quiet strength... great sensibility...childlike naivety... boundless faith.... immense sacrifice and yes, unconditional love.

She has faced so many obstacles, sacrificed so much for my father and us daughters, stood up to so much adversity, and on top of that, she has consistently kept us strong and rooted. And she has done all of this, with dignity and honour.

I smile when I think of Mum laughing out loud at Mr Bean's antics, though she's seen it a million times over. I laugh when I think of the many pranks we pulled (well, Dad and Retisina mainly!) on Mum, and time and time again she falls for them (in good humour thankfully!) I reminisce about her evening routine with my dad, spending hours playing Scrabble and laughing at dad's silly words.

I can only imagine what she's going through, after having lost her soulmate, but again her quiet strength, her great sensibility, her boundless faith and unconditional love has pulled her through it all.

Lord, if I can be half the woman my mother is, I'll be happy.

Mum. My strength. My light. My heart.

I love you... :)