Her self-image was modest.
When asked, she would describe herself as 'just an ordinary wife, mother and Gran'.
And yet this simple soul outlived a son, a grandson and a great-grandson in her 87 years.
And earned the undying devotion of many children and their parents - grateful recipients of her brand of love and care.
She was the longest serving volunteer at The Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, clocking up an incredible 6,000 hours of service over nearly 35 years.
And for this amazing devotion to the children in need of comfort and care as they endured their medical procedures, she was awarded the Order of Australia medal at 83 years of age.
She was my Mother.
Perhaps her humble beginnings as the middle child of 13 developed her sense of duty, and care and responsibility for others.
More often than not, my Mum would find herself alternating between being the youngest of the older group - and helping to mother the younger ones.
An enduring trait was her desire to always be able to 'paddle my own canoe'.
My Mum and Dad fell in love at first sight - when she was just 15 and he 17.
"It won't last", many said.
Well - only until my Dad's premature death at 62 years old - and my Mother never remarried despite living on alone for another 27 years.
Their Love had been both exclusive and exceptional.
When her fourth child choked and died in her arms after a long illness (from which he had seemingly recovered) - she nearly lost her mind with grief.
Only the conception of another baby could save her sanity - and so I came into being.
Ironic that they had decided four children was their limit.
The next test of her faith and 'survival' instincts would be to face the inevitable 'empty nest' syndrome when I married and left home.
True to form, she sensibly began voluntary work at the then Adelaide Children's Hospital before the nest was vacated - and quickly became committed to the Spina Bifida children and their lengthy medical needs - spanning years of their lives.
She was their beloved unofficial 'Gran' - the lady in pink who cuddled and reassured them when painful procedures, injections, wound treatment, etc.
were required.
Mopping tears and calming fears was her speciality.
In later years, Mum was invited to (and attended) many special celebrations of her 'chosen' children - such as 21st birthdays, weddings and the like.
There were maybe 6 or 8 young Spina Bifida adults at her funeral - in their wheelchairs - paying tribute to what she had meant to the many lives she touched.
This incredibly modest lady received several awards through her latter years, like - Life membership of the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Lions Club 'Mother of the Year' in her local area, Rotary Club award for Community Service.
But the greatest, most overwhelming of these was the Order of Australia medal in 1995.
Unforgettable, the vision of her walking down the 'aisle' of the Reception Room of Government House, like a different kind of bride, to have this beautiful gold medal pinned to her lapel by the Governor of South Australia of the day, Dame Roma Mitchell.
And unimaginable the pride to see her honoured in this way amongst 25 other 'heroes'.
How special to have our personal opinion officially recognised, validated and rewarded in this way.
It meant so much to my Mother, despite her acute embarrassment at 'all the fuss'.
As if everything else about her had not been amazing enough - she had only ever performed all this on one half of one kidney - from birth.
Had this been known, no children would have been permitted due to the extreme risk factor to her life - and possibly baby's, also.
Strange thought, that.
Little wonder she suffered constant and severe back pain throughout a large part of each of her pregnancies.
The medical belief at that time, was that this was to be expected - as the result of having four pregnancies so close together.
Despite the odds, she achieved 5 live births, and lived to see 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
And managed extensive travels as well - including all States of Australia, New Zealand.
a South Pacific cruise, and a trip to the USA just before she turned 80.
I wish I could say she died peacefully in her sleep at home - not so.
A series of falls changed her 'copabilities' and the last months saw hospitalisation and a move to Residential Care, where her life ended.
Time had wearied her, after all.
Clearly, our two hearts and souls became irrevocably entangled from the day of my conception, and our love forged the first time she held me in her arms.
Strange - and ironic - but somehow SO right - that my beloved Mother would eventually take her last breath in my arms.
She was an exceptional lady - my Mother, Win Graham.
And am I proud? Most definitely! And am I crying as the memories flood back? Unashamedly - yes! © 2011 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved
When asked, she would describe herself as 'just an ordinary wife, mother and Gran'.
And yet this simple soul outlived a son, a grandson and a great-grandson in her 87 years.
And earned the undying devotion of many children and their parents - grateful recipients of her brand of love and care.
She was the longest serving volunteer at The Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, clocking up an incredible 6,000 hours of service over nearly 35 years.
And for this amazing devotion to the children in need of comfort and care as they endured their medical procedures, she was awarded the Order of Australia medal at 83 years of age.
She was my Mother.
Perhaps her humble beginnings as the middle child of 13 developed her sense of duty, and care and responsibility for others.
More often than not, my Mum would find herself alternating between being the youngest of the older group - and helping to mother the younger ones.
An enduring trait was her desire to always be able to 'paddle my own canoe'.
My Mum and Dad fell in love at first sight - when she was just 15 and he 17.
"It won't last", many said.
Well - only until my Dad's premature death at 62 years old - and my Mother never remarried despite living on alone for another 27 years.
Their Love had been both exclusive and exceptional.
When her fourth child choked and died in her arms after a long illness (from which he had seemingly recovered) - she nearly lost her mind with grief.
Only the conception of another baby could save her sanity - and so I came into being.
Ironic that they had decided four children was their limit.
The next test of her faith and 'survival' instincts would be to face the inevitable 'empty nest' syndrome when I married and left home.
True to form, she sensibly began voluntary work at the then Adelaide Children's Hospital before the nest was vacated - and quickly became committed to the Spina Bifida children and their lengthy medical needs - spanning years of their lives.
She was their beloved unofficial 'Gran' - the lady in pink who cuddled and reassured them when painful procedures, injections, wound treatment, etc.
were required.
Mopping tears and calming fears was her speciality.
In later years, Mum was invited to (and attended) many special celebrations of her 'chosen' children - such as 21st birthdays, weddings and the like.
There were maybe 6 or 8 young Spina Bifida adults at her funeral - in their wheelchairs - paying tribute to what she had meant to the many lives she touched.
This incredibly modest lady received several awards through her latter years, like - Life membership of the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Lions Club 'Mother of the Year' in her local area, Rotary Club award for Community Service.
But the greatest, most overwhelming of these was the Order of Australia medal in 1995.
Unforgettable, the vision of her walking down the 'aisle' of the Reception Room of Government House, like a different kind of bride, to have this beautiful gold medal pinned to her lapel by the Governor of South Australia of the day, Dame Roma Mitchell.
And unimaginable the pride to see her honoured in this way amongst 25 other 'heroes'.
How special to have our personal opinion officially recognised, validated and rewarded in this way.
It meant so much to my Mother, despite her acute embarrassment at 'all the fuss'.
As if everything else about her had not been amazing enough - she had only ever performed all this on one half of one kidney - from birth.
Had this been known, no children would have been permitted due to the extreme risk factor to her life - and possibly baby's, also.
Strange thought, that.
Little wonder she suffered constant and severe back pain throughout a large part of each of her pregnancies.
The medical belief at that time, was that this was to be expected - as the result of having four pregnancies so close together.
Despite the odds, she achieved 5 live births, and lived to see 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
And managed extensive travels as well - including all States of Australia, New Zealand.
a South Pacific cruise, and a trip to the USA just before she turned 80.
I wish I could say she died peacefully in her sleep at home - not so.
A series of falls changed her 'copabilities' and the last months saw hospitalisation and a move to Residential Care, where her life ended.
Time had wearied her, after all.
Clearly, our two hearts and souls became irrevocably entangled from the day of my conception, and our love forged the first time she held me in her arms.
Strange - and ironic - but somehow SO right - that my beloved Mother would eventually take her last breath in my arms.
She was an exceptional lady - my Mother, Win Graham.
And am I proud? Most definitely! And am I crying as the memories flood back? Unashamedly - yes! © 2011 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved