The Bloggers Bash Blog Post Competition 2018: Mummy

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Sherri Matthews

Nothing like leaving things to the last minute, here’s my entry to The Bloggers Bash Blog Post Competition 2018  Closes at 23:59 tonight…sorry for the short warning!

 

Mummy

She was one year younger than me, that shy, pretty woman with the floppy fringe and huge, blue eyes.  She burst on the scene with the light through her skirt, and all we could talk about was Lady Diana.

Lady Di.  That’s what my American friends called her.  I stayed up all night far away from home and watched the fairytale Princess marry her Prince Charming, while my grief for my husband, only one month buried, sat still for an hour or two.

A year is a long time when you’re young. Long enough for me to live again. London called and I watched the news of Princess Diana cradling her new-born prince as my unborn child moved inside me. Soon it would be my turn to hold my own little prince.

A twist and a turn took me back to America where I soaked up news from home. In the undisturbed space between the grocery shop and the school run, I savoured a Peppermint Patty and flipped through People Magazine, Diana’s life splashed across every page.

But something was wrong.

I pondered the photo of her sitting alone, pensive, on the diving board of a luxury yacht.  Our lives, though worlds apart, no different as mothers with fierce love for our children and both knowing that sometimes fairytales turn grim.

Yet joy reigns, undiminished, when London calls to celebrate. In May, bells will ring and crowds will cheer and Harry will kiss his bride. The little boy who walked behind his mother’s hearse, his letter meant only for her, now a man walking strong in the legacy of her undying love.

She was Princess Diana to the world, but to Harry, she will always be Mummy.

 

 

 

 

About Sherri Matthews

Sherri is a British writer working on her second memoir while seeking publication of her first. Her work has appeared in magazines, anthologies and online as well as long/shortlisted and special mentioned in contests. Once upon a time and for twenty years, she lived in California. Today, she lives in England with her human family, owned by two black cats.
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75 Responses to The Bloggers Bash Blog Post Competition 2018: Mummy

  1. restlessjo says:
    March 22, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    Very true, Sherri. They will need a lot of love and a lot of luck to weather the storms ahead. I wish them both 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  2. Genny says:
    March 22, 2018 at 7:09 pm

    That was so beautiful! Made me teary. Good luck in the contest!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. Juliet says:
    March 22, 2018 at 8:44 pm

    Mama Mia, Sherri. This is beautiful. I remember it all too. That skirt, that wedding dress, that cute little baby. Then I crossed the Channel and didn’t care so much. Until the day she died in France while we were in Britain at a family wedding. I cried the whole way through the funeral, watching with my mum and dad in Scotland, my little two year old girl wondering who all the tears were for. Memories, memories… This piece is such a delightful amuse-bouche for your book. I’m ready to get my teeth into the starter 😀. As usual I am going to say Ninight because I am in bed already reading.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      March 23, 2018 at 1:36 pm

      Thank you so much Juliet, I am moved by your lovely comment. I was very tentative about posting this since it’s for a writing competition, but the rules stated that it has to be posted on your blog first…yikes! i am not sure at all it’s what the judges are looking for, but it’s what I felt in my heart and well, there it is. We share similar experiences with our travels. I was back living in America when Diana died and again, stayed up all night for the funeral due to the 8 hour time difference. My two youngest vaguely remember me being upset, but my eldest, then about 14, remembers that night of that awful crash quite differently as he told me many years later. I spent the whole time crying watching the news unfold (and again, like you through her funeral) but we had planned a family movie that night. He remembers his dad taking him aside to tell him there would be no movie that night with me glued to the TV, and he was so disappointed as he had really been looking forward to it! I was oblivious at the time, in shock I think. Memories indeed. and quite different perspectives of the time and of the way each of us were affected. I hope you had a good night, love your Ninights! I missed it, only just now returning the following afternoon, ha! And I want to say your delightful ‘amuse-bouche’ comment made my day – and night! Been great chatting with you this week Juliet, look forward to carrying on the conversation next week at your pad and the Ranch I’m sure as I’ll be signing off for the weekend as usual… and a lovely weekend to you…let’s hope for signs of spring at last 🙂 xxx

      Liked by 3 people

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  4. Jill Weatherholt says:
    March 22, 2018 at 10:36 pm

    Aw…this was so sweet, Sherri. The last line…priceless! Good luck! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Sarah Potter Writes says:
    March 23, 2018 at 4:41 pm

    Dearest Sherri, that is such a touching and beautiful piece of writing. It demonstrates so well the same threads running through all of humanity — those of love, joy, grief, new life. Whether you’re royalty or a commoner, you are not immune to these things. I’m wiping tears from my eyes. You have done brilliantly here, my dear friend — just brilliantly. I’m very proud of you and my fingers are tightly crossed that you will win a prize with your story. You have a wonderful weekend, my dear friend. Lots of love and hugs and kisses, Sarah xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Sherri Matthews says:
      March 26, 2018 at 5:49 pm

      Dearest Sarah, I am deeply touched by your lovely comment, thank you so much for reading and leaving such a wonderful comment which fills me with great encouragement. You and everyone’s amazing comments here have already made me feel like a winner, such great kindness and support. And to another week! I look forward to catching up with you my friend…and thinking of you as you write on….and hopefully I’ll do the same! Lots of love, hugs and kisses back to you ❤ xxxxxxx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Lucid Gypsy says:
    March 23, 2018 at 6:35 pm

    Glad I’m not the only who got emotional reading this, great writing Sherri.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Mike M says:
    March 23, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    Sensitive, poignant and profound.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Tina Frisco says:
    March 24, 2018 at 1:48 am

    I had goosebumps reading this, Sher. We’ll never forget the day Diana died. She was loved around the world. Your beautiful story’s ending moved me beyond words and took me back to little John-John Kennedy saluting his father’s hearse… Here’s hoping you win, sister ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. Charli Mills says:
    March 24, 2018 at 4:01 am

    Sherri, the way you weave your memories of Lady Di in and out of your own life at each of milestones is brilliant, but you go the extra mile by adding empathy for Harry and connecting your memory of him as the boy at the funeral to the man soon to kiss his bride. Stunning piece of writing, moving! Ha! And I recall a time as a young mother when the greatest relaxation came with a Peppermint Patty and People Magazine!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    March 24, 2018 at 8:24 am

    A lovely piece of writing and tribute to Diana. I’m fascinated by the different approaches to the competition that all the entrants have taken. Boy, the judges are going to have such a tough time choosing a winner. So many wonderful entries. Well done and good luck Sherri. Xxx

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  11. Shallow Reflections says:
    March 24, 2018 at 11:20 am

    Beautiful piece, Sherri. I love the personal reflections midst the lives of the royals. Very touching and sweet, with a mix of reality. Best of luck in the competition! You’ve got a great chance for the win, my friend!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Hugh's Views and News says:
    March 24, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Such a beautiful piece of writing, Sherri. Thank you for sharing those delicate memories with us. Good luck in the competition. I’m so glad I’m not judging it this year.
    xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Diane Willis Box says:
    March 24, 2018 at 2:55 pm

    Dear friend, I had the hardest time finding this story and at last I do and oh how beautiful and touching. You captured that time so beautifully and then end with such hope as we anticipate the marriage of Harry and his bride. Your writing, wonderful and lovely! xoxoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. anotherday2paradise says:
    March 24, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    Beautifully written, Sherri. I wish them and you, all the luck in the world. xx 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. purpleslob says:
    March 24, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    Aww, now, why did you make me cry, Sherri?? The mixing of Diana’s life, and your parallels are so heart touching. My 9 yr old daughter, and I both cried our eyes out when she died. Such a senseless waste of her generous life. She was truly beautiful, inside and out.
    I think you have a home run here, my friend!
    ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. Luanne says:
    March 25, 2018 at 6:41 pm

    When the story turned I shivered!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Viola Bleu says:
    March 26, 2018 at 11:15 am

    Good luck my lovely … for this beautiful and emotive post … I’ve created a pingback to it in a blog today xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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  19. Norah says:
    March 26, 2018 at 11:27 am

    Good luck with the competition, Sherri. This is a very touching story from Diana then to her youngest son now. Who’d be a royal?

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. Ste J says:
    March 27, 2018 at 1:18 am

    Very nice! I think people get caught up in the speculation of what Diana became in her life, without remembering she was a mother and got along with emotions just like the rest of us. Her son too, it’s interesting how these connections with strangers come to mind.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Mahesh Nair says:
    March 31, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    Powerful this is, my friend. “Our lives, though worlds apart, no different as mothers with fierce love for our children…” – true that. Great “Mummy” choice for the competition. Mummy always wins. Wishing you all the best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. Bespoke Traveler says:
    April 6, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    A difficult subject to tackle for this competition, but I love how you brought it back to that common touch so that every reader could relate. Something very grand and not quite understandable became poignant and human under your words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Lilka Finley Raphael says:
    April 9, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    Beautiful, Sherri! I always find the Royals fascinating. I love how you show there how royalty and commoners have far more in common than all the pomp and circumstance would lead some to believe. I’m wishing Harry the love and life I’m sure his mother would want him to have. B Blessed my dear! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  24. whitefeatherfloating says:
    May 4, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    This is beautiful and poignant, I Sherri!! I love your mothering heart, my sweet friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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  26. whitefeatherfloating says:
    June 5, 2018 at 4:19 pm

    That’s so beautiful, Sherri. 😊 xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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