We all say that our mum is the best, but I can honestly, truly say that my mum was the best there ever was... And I'm still figuring out how we go on with out her.

She was the centre of our family. The ultimate maternal figure. She loved her family, she loved her children, she loved other people's children!

Her tenacity, her quick wit and her talent to tell a great story is what I hope I have taken from her.

She had the ability to light up a room as soon as she entered it. She always made people laugh and made them feel good about themselves. It was never about her.

She also had great humility, a hugely loving and giving side, for helping those less fortunate than ourselves. She always was the first one to help, to lend a hand or just an ear should anyone be down or struggling.

Having said that, she never took any grief from anyone either - if something was wrong, or she had something to say, she'd say it!

She was empowering. If I wanted to do something she would make sure, and help me, do it. She would tell me, "you can do whatever you want to do - don't let anyone tell you any different." I would have not done or achieved half the things I have in my life so far if it wasn't for her.
She made all her children what they are today; she gave us wings and for the that I am forever thankful.

My memories of mum run from waking up most mornings in her bed. She gave the best cuddles and we would all fight over who got them.

The late nights she would stay up helping us with our geography coursework or revision, the constant taxi'ing around to whatever activity club or hobby we had taken up that month. We didn't want for anything.

She was a dedicated follower of fashion - and she loved to shop, especially for a bargain! Rarely the things she bought were for her, always for someone else.
Having been shopping she would often give me a bag and say, "Here you are, guess how much?" Or, if out shopping together, we would come home from the shops with multiple and she would say with a glint in her eye, "Don't tell your Dad".

She said the same when we came home with the local stray cat, and again when it gave birth to 5 kittens a few weeks later. Dad was not a 'cat lover'.
And when I decided to have a belly piercing... And then a tattoo a few years after that. There was a definite rebel inside of her.

Her wicked sense of humour and her love to chat and socialise was the reason why most of our friends used to end up at our house, before or after a night out.
Many a time we would come home and end up chatting into the small hours before mum would wake us up in the morning with breakfast in bed.

She was possibly the best cook I have ever experienced. She loved the kitchen and was rarely out of it, even when she couldn't even eat the food herself. Always baking or trying something new - recipes upon recipes, everything she cooked was to die for. And in her final years, this is where she was in her element.
Between my friends, her cooking was legendary.

She loved volunteering - esp dad's time. Hah. "Oh, dad will do that", "I'll get Chris to pick you up". "No, no. Chris doesn't mind." They were the dream team, a partnership, a way of life.

Mum shone at Christmas time. The tree was always magnificent, the presents plentiful (having stayed up most the night wrapping them) and the food was to die for.
She never sat down, always running around doing this or getting that, making sure everyone had what they wanted.
Every year she was given the latest Elvis cd and I remember her singing along to it, (she used to say had an awful voice, but I didn't think so).

Apart from my dad, her greatest love was Elvis. I remember asking her once, "did u marry Dad because he had the same hair as Elvis?" And with a quick smile she replied, "no, it was the same droopy eyes."

Their love was so great and unconditional. One of a kind.
Apart from one thing - "Beth, don't ever marry a man who likes football!!"

Throughout her struggle with cancer and surgery she never once moaned or showed bitterness towards the bad cards that she had been dealt.
She always said thank you to every one who looked after her or helped her in any way. And all those who came across her would comment on what a lovely lady she was and "a real fighter, your mum".
And she was. Right up until the end, she never loss that hope, that fighting spirit.

Without her it will never be the same again, but thank God she was here in the first place.

Xxxxx