Sunday, March 22, 2009

Mothering Sunday

‘Thank you sister. May you be the mother of a Bishop!’

said to a nun nursing him on his death bed.

Brendan Behan 1923-1964


‘I’ll simply say here that I was born Beatrice Gladys Lillie at an extremely tender age because my mother needed a fourth at meals.’

Beatrice Lillie 1898-?


‘The explanation is quite simple. I wished to be near my mother.’ Explaining to a snobbish lady why he had been born in such an unfashionable place as Lowell in Massachusetts.

James Abbott McNeill Whistler 1834-1903


‘Mother is the dead heart of the family, spending father’s earnings on consumer goods to enhance the environment in which he eats, sleeps and watches television.’

Germaine Greer 1939 – (The Female Eunuch)


‘All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.’

Oscar Wilde 1854-1900


Remembering too those of us whose mothers are in a better place especially the two little boys both in Britain and America.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Loved your tribute to mothers today. Some good quotes here. I like reading quotes.
I found your blog last week through "So the fish said", which I have been reading for years.
I will be reading you daily now. Thanks for blogging as it entertains.

debra said...

It is a true and timely post. I lost my mother and grandmother exactly 1 month to the day apart from each other 11 years ago.
My heart goes out to those who share this journey.

Pat said...

Poet: glad you came along. I don't write daily but as the spirit moves:)
Three or four times a week:)

Debra: that must have been a very sad time for you and I hope you have reached the time when the remembrances of them bring gladness rather than sadness.

debra said...

I have, and I think of them with warmth and love. Happy mothering day to you. On my side of the Pond, Mothers' Day is in May.

David Edward said...

that brought a snort of laughter and a tear to my eye

Here from Netchick's place

Pat said...

David: I know it is a different date over there but I hope your mother is well.

Pat said...

Debra: that's good to hear:)

Anonymous said...

As with David, I'm on the other side of the Atlantic, so it took me a minute to realize that this was specifically for Mother's Day.

A lovely set of quotes; I'll definitely give my mother a call today, Mother's Day or not. Thanks. :)

C.

ps. Netchick sent me. :)

kenju said...

Whistler's comment is so droll! I love it!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Some great quotes there :)

NetChick sent me over today. I hope you're having a lovely weekend and that you had a nice happy Mothering Sunday.

Take care :)

Barlinnie said...

A classic line from the perfectly ostentatious Mr Wilde.

Nea said...

Is Mothering Sunday the same as Lady Day? Here in Sweden Annunciation Day is known as "Waffle Day".
As I have already wished you a Happy Mothering Sunday I shall now wish you a Happy Waffle Day!

Pat said...

Chris: good boy - that's what we mothers like to hear. Phone home:)

Judy: I wonder if you know Lowell?

Nicki- Ann: thank you. Its been a good day.

Pat said...

Jimmy: was he ever lost for words one wonders?

Pat said...

Nea: I insist on calling it Mothering Sunday so the dads aren't excluded. I don't know Lady Day or Waffle day. Are waffles eaten then or do people just talk rubbish? I'm good at that.

Anonymous said...

Did I miss something. Two little boys? Is it Mother's Day there. I just got back from spending a couple of weeks helping my mother get over the shingles. It was very satisfying to be able to help her for a change. Netchick says Hi.

Paul Nichols said...

"When I was born nobody was home. They told me my mom and dad were down at the hospital."--Paul Nichols

First time here. You have a great blog. Enjoyed. I'll come back.

Pat said...

Colleen: It was Mothering Sunday and the two little boys were the sons of Natasha Richardson in America and the sons of Jade Goody in the UK. I'm glad you could look after your mother and hope she is well again.

Paul: welcome and yours ia a great quote:)

Anonymous said...

Hope you had a nice one, Pat. Ours isn't til May over here.

Your flowers are gorgeous, by the way.

Pat said...

Sam; thank you:)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Sometimes I mother my mother, nag her the way mothers seem to enjoy doing. Is that considered 'mothering'? tee hee.

Pat said...

GG: believe me GG, your mother is the lucky one:)