Page 20 - Demo

Ditching the Guff6The Nature of NurturingThere%u2019s rivalry in a home with many children.Each day, I snuck into the kitchen in pyjamaswhen Mum began her early morning routine.I watched her scrape ashesfrom the grate before building a fire%u2014scrunching newspaper, adding wood chips,carefully feeding the timid sparks till they flared.Then she%u2019d take Dad%u2019s cuppa in bed, a priority.Next, the saucepan of Blue Lake Flaked Oats,quietly soaked at the back of the stove overnight,on the hob for breakfast.I don%u2019t recall what Mum and I spoke about%u2014likely I prattled of childish trifles.My siblings unaware that I%u2019d grabbedthis one-to-one time, closely guardingit as a secret, never once consideringthat a mother may need timeto herself.