Happy Mother's Day

How lucky I am to have a kind, loving and creative mother. I am twice as lucky to have a wonderful, kind and loving Mother-in-law as well. Today I would like to honor my Mother-in-law Soula Lymbery. I wish her a Happy Mother's Day and happiness always. I also like to thank her for the kindness and love she has given to my family and I for almost 40 years. 

Soula Lymbery 16 years old

At the age of just 17 Soula got married and had my husband when she was 18. In 1954 her family migrated to New Zealand from her birth country, Greece. Her children were young and the journey to NZ took 7 days by air and ship. Not speaking a word of English she not only had to look after her young children, but she had to try to adjust to a new life in a foreign land. She was desperately home sick and missing her father and brother. In the days of not having easy access to telephone and mail, communication could take months. I cannot imagine how hard life must have been for her. Soula was strong and for the sake of the children's future she had to make it in her new life and new country. 

Make it she did. It's now more than 50 years since she moved to New Zealand. She is still living there and calls it home. I thank her for bringing her family to this part of the world where I've met and married my husband and started a family of our own. 

Soula has been kind to me ever since we met. She has never said one word to upset me. She is always there to give support. She's a mother of three, a grandmother of five and a great grandmother of three, two of them being my grandchildren. Soula and I are meant to connect and I'm glad and lucky. Thanks Mum, I love you.