Letter to my Mum

Words by Minya Rose Holroyd

To you mum, may you always know your worth. 

A little reminder of some of the incredible things you have done. 

You were the one who boiled water on the stove for our outdoor shower every night until I was 16 (with extras of course on a Sunday for hair washing day!). The one who chopped wood for the fire, and perhaps your toe once too (and then drove to the hospital while picking me up from Kindy on the way!). 

You’re the one who killed the chooks for dinner, and raised us humbly yet so perfectly in a shed for 16 years, and really with all four of us piled in where there were gaps in the flinchers, snakes in roof and in the hot summer storms, I honestly don’t know how you managed to stay absolutely calm, humble, and full of hope. 

You would fiercely get obsessed with a theme party (I recall you stalking op shops for tropical prints, palms or lace doilies,) often I would still receive a themed item well after the event, because you never know when you might need a glass dish in the shape of a pineapple! 

You are the absolute queen of handmade packages, with fresh garden flowers, Lindt chocolate, fruit or homegrown vegies. The best card maker and the most amazing no-recipe quiche maker. 

And so Mum, here’s where I hope you are listening (with a coffee, in the sun of course).

Every action you have ever taken is to lift, inspire, care, or look after someone (and even then, you doubt that you have been kind enough). 

You have not only raised two incredibly strong daughters, but you are a pillar of hope, strength and kindness to so many in our community. 

I have incredible solid, amazing and lifelong friendships thanks to you. I know who I am, and I will be forever grateful that you have always created an open and honest environment (sometimes a little bit shocking to my younger sister). I am grateful that you allowed me to flourish, grow and experience this life. 

To this day, I promise you would still turn up at a party and be the coolest person there (with of course the flowers, chocolate and drinks when we asked you to bring nothing)––connecting, caring, laughing, and being the most kind person I have ever met.  

I want you to know that you are worthy of every moment in this life, that every twist and turn you have had, doesn’t need to change the life you live now.  

I want you to know that you have the courage. I want you to say yes to new things (and say no to the things that no longer serve or deserve your time); that you are strong; you are loved. 

This is only half of what I want to say, but I really hope that one day I get to be half the mum you are. 

Much love, 

Your daughter

Min x