They broke the mould when they made my mother Loula. Like many of her generation, she has had to overcome many hardships. I remember her telling me how she used to walk miles as a 
child for a crust of bread to survive the ravages of war.
She had no fun-filled teenage life, living it through a civil war in Greece when more Greeks killed Greeks than Germans in WW2.
The only good thing that came out of it was that she caught the eye of my father who as a soldier was stationed in Thessaloniki and they fell in love, even though they could not speak the same language and communicate.
She was only 16 when as a young bride she stepped foot on the black, flat, Fenland landscape; it couldn’t have been more different than the stunning blue sea and sky she had left behind. Her parents sold everything they owned in Greece and moved to England to be with her – but were not allowed to stay by the government and had to return.
Ignorance was so great among country folk in those days that when my father told his parents he had married a Greek girl, the first thing they said when they met her was, “thank 
God she isn’t black!”
She soon made a name for herself as an exotic beauty, and even now, people recall how she looked just like Gina Lollobrigida. And she most certainly did, she was a real head turner, and still is. She still has great legs too, I wish mine were as good as hers!
My mother loves Greek music and plays it constantly. We sing along to it together and drive my family mad. We love the haunting melodies of the tragic love songs, and the thrusting male dominated taverna music. My mother was blessed with a beautiful voice and could easily have been a trained singer if her life had been different. She still sings constantly, it remains one of her greatest pleasures.
My mother loves beautiful clothes and has five wardrobes at home which is constantly updated, thanks to the generosity of my lovely sister Rosalind who owns a dress shop.
She is renowned and admired for her beautiful, flawless skin which is totally wrinkle free, due thankfully to her genes and rigorous beauty routine. One of the best lessons she taught me was to look after my skin.
She is endlessly amusing and actively encourages us to be “wild and exciting”. My son James is trying hard to live up this expectation! He doesn’t want to disappoint her. Nobody could ever say my mother is dull.
The love for her family has been her sole source of happiness 
throughout her life. Love is all that matters to my mother, which is why she has never recovered from the death of my father who she was happily married to for more than 50 years. A candle is lit each day by his photo at home. Flowers are placed there too,
While her beauty remains undiminished, I’m sorry to say that all is not well on the inside. She has been cursed with the A-word, far crueller in many ways than the C-word as there is no cure, but she is blissfully unaware. Each minute I spend with her now is so very precious before this cruel disease becomes totally devastating. She is a strong woman and always says she is a fighter. Sadly, this is one fight she will not be able to win.
Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful and inspiring mum.
What a wnderful tribute Ellee. She is still beautiful
What a beautiful post, your mother sounds amazing 🙂
A beautiful dedication and tribute, Ellee.
A loving tribute. You have bruised my heart a bit, but not in a bad way. How brilliant you are to wring love from every last moment. Your Mum is indeed lovely, as are you.
A beautiful post Ellee..:-)
Oh Ellee that was a lovely portrait you painted of your mother. It is amazing to think that someone of just 16 could make such a brave and adventurous decision.
A really lovely post, she indeed was and still is beautiful
I’m sorry to hear that, Ellee. I hope your sons made your day special too.
Thanks everyone, your kind words are much appreciated.
Now we know where you get it from, Ellee.
Sorry I’m late in replying.
Sorry to comment so late, Ellee. This is a lovely tribute to your mother and you BOTH look so beautiful in the photo. I agree with you about the A illness being more cruel, in some ways, than the C one. I often used to think, when my mother was ill, that had it been cancer at the very least we could have discussed it. I can only tell you what a doctor once told me, to “treasure every lucid moment.”
Also a week too late. What a lovely thing to write about one’s mother. I rally ought to do the same. my mother has lost her husband and brother within a few months of each other.
I lost my mother 3 weeks ago to a stoke, she will always be alive and beautiful to me.
Your mam is indeed beautiful and will always be that way.
Hug and kiss her as often as u can and tell her you love her all the time….its an aweful thing when its too late
Susan, I’m so sorry for your loss. Yes, I try and do that, we do hug a lot and I am hoping to spend more time with her as she needs me very much right now.