Opinion: Mother's Day a time to reflect on all the roles mothers play

Shauni James with her mum, Rachael James, on a family trip to Sydney. Photo / Supplied

OPINION

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take." - Gaspard Mermillod

This quote is one that resonates wholeheartedly with me.

It was mostly just my mum and I growing up, with my nana also there in my younger years.

There are so many special memories I hold dear to my heart.

A highlight would definitely have to be the overseas travelling my mum and I did at the end of 2011.

We visited family and learned and saw so many new things together.

It's funny the little moments that stick inside your memory too.

From taking our kittens on harnesses for a walk and picnic at the park (yes, we did do that), to the super-early morning drives up to Whangamatā for Christmas.

From our bellies hurting after laughing at Bradley Walsh bloopers in The Chase, to guessing how many cars we would pass on late-night trips to a family friend's house.

But as well as the little moments, she's been by my side and my biggest supporter through the bigger moments too.

Despite being a busy single mum and teacher, during my school years, she would be whizzing me around to dance concerts, aerobics competitions, swimming training, netball games and travelling all over with me for my running races.

We were reminiscing just last week, and it turns out I used to drive her crazy at races because I didn't warm up enough beforehand.

She may have raised an eyebrow at first with some of the bigger ambitions I undertook. However, she never told me I couldn't do it and always supported me in my endeavours, despite my lack of arguably necessary experience at times.

This belief and support in me really helped to take me to some cool places and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

And of course, she has been there through the tough times too.

Through anxiety, university study and plenty of young life crisis in between, the poor lady has had many a phone call filled with blubbering and tears.

She is my first phone call for everything.

Over the years she's played so many roles in my life.

She's been a mother, cheerleader, teacher, nurse, councillor, events director and manager. She's my best friend.

So to my mother, Rachael, thank you for all of your care, love, understanding, support, the laughs, all those years of taxi driving, and everything in between.

I love you heaps and heaps, happy Mother's Day, and I'm looking forward to all the memories to come!

And a big, happy Mother's Day to all the other mothers out there who take on so many roles as they raise and help their children through the roller coaster of life.