It’s become a weekly routine now and one I look forward to as though I would be hugging you and kissing you personally. First I buy the flowers, then walk up the hill and turn on the right.

Some people argue that going to the cemetery would only make me more miserable and, anyway, you are probably just bones by now, but I don’t agree.

I know your soul is in heaven but I feel I owe you a certain respect even to your remains.

O mum, I loved you and always will so very very much.

This year there won’t be clothes or jewellery as presents for you on Mothering Sunday, but a lovely flowered heart.

Flowers for a flower just like your name, Iris.

I loved you for many reasons but mostly because your concern was not mere physical beauty. What you sought was the inner beauty of the spirit which the thief of time could never steal from you.

As I write this, tears are streaming down my cheeks because I remember what a beautiful relationship you and I shared.

You were my mother, my sister and my soul mate and for the life of me I cannot understand how a mother and her daughter/son could be estranged for many years.

Mothers are not perfect but the majority of mothers on this island have a gargantuan love for their children where their motto towards their children is “give, give, give”, and rarely take.

How can some people neglect their mother while she spends the twilight of her years at St Vincent de Paule hospital? How could people refrain from visiting their mothers while they’re sick and ailing in St Luke’s hospital?

How could some go abroad without sending any letters or even make a phone call to the person that gave them life, fed them and clothed them through the years?

My message to estranged parents and children is to try and make up. I ask the latter not to leave it too late. “I love you” is easy to signify even in Esperanto language.

What mum and I had is something very very special that goes beyond the grave.

I thank the Lord that what she gave me for 48 years. I had 11 months to at least pay my dues through her illness.

They say that time is a great healer, mum, but time will never erase you from my mind and heart. I just have to live with it though it’s so very very hard.

Happy Mother’s Day darling, your first one in heaven with Our Lady, whom you so deeply loved. May this message help to mend broken relationships where mothers and sons and mothers and daughters are concerned.

I will love you eternally.

Valerie Borg

Valletta