Today I’m sharing my space with Maria, who blogs over at 1000 Reasons I’m a Crap Mom and is the driving force behind Mom’s Against Ostriches. She is hilarious, witty and just maybe a Twitter bully with an addiction to Coke Zero {even though Diet Coke is obviously superior}. Please welcome her as she shares what she is most thankful for.
If there is one thing I am grateful for, it’s that I have Ms. Lilly in my life.
Sure, I love my mom and my sister, and my job is pretty cool and all of that.
But Ms. Lilly is the one that makes birds sing, rainbows glow and post-boxes tap-dance for me.
(Before you ask: no, she doesn’t lace my juice with LSD.)
She says things like “Here’s your coffee, dear. Now let me feed C so you can eat your breakfast.” And she makes it sound like I am doing her a favour.
And did I mention she gives me coffee?
Ms. Lilly is the #1 reason why I continued to blog after I moved out of my mom’s house. Without her assistance, I would not have the time to go to the loo, let alone manage Facebook pages and SEO. And without her, well… I’d be forced to look after my child be a better mom, and then what on Earth would I write about?
Ms. Lilly’s daily vocabulary is filled with gems such as these:
“You look knackered, darling. Long day at work? Go take a nap, I’ll get C from daycare.”
“Let me help you get C dressed so you can finish your work. What would you like him to wear today?”
“Don’t forget your packed lunch, it’s on the table.”
“You have lost so much weight! You look wonderful! Now put some make-up on and let your hair down!”
“A young girl like you should go out more. Go on, I’ll take care of C.”
Ms Lilly is not C’s babysitter. She is not my PA. She is not my life coach, my psychologist or my fairy godmother. Ms. Lilly is our landlady. We rent a room in her house.
I don’t pay Ms. Lilly to do any of the thousand wonderful things she does for us. I couldn’t! There is not enough money in the world to pay for Ms. Lilly’s awesomeness! I ambush her with presents whenever I have a chance, and every time it is a battle to get her to accept them. I blush like a beet when she thanks me for letting her spend so much time with C, who she claims has changed her life and her family’s, and when she adds that so have I.
My reply is always the same: “Are you MAD?? It is us who are grateful! It is you who makes our lives amazing!”
Because she does.
Ms. Lilly is a survivor of abuse of several kinds, a brave woman who brought up three daughters in spite of an alcoholic (ex)husband, a good daughter who looked after her sick, diabetic father until the last moment. Ms. Lilly has never travelled outside of this country, and her cashflow has always been just on the wrong side of “tight”. Ms. Lilly still has a demanding elderly mother to tend to, and a teenage daughter to worry about, and a life to rebuild.
The LAST things Ms. Lilly needed in her life were an internet-addicted single mom and a freakishly strong and fast 10-month old baby. Yet she took us in her home, her family and her heart, and not a days goes by without her doing something amazingly nice for us.
So yes, if there is one thing I am grateful for, it’s that I have Ms. Lilly in my life.
And I hope C will understand this and remember her when he grows up.
Because just as he is the best thing that ever happened to me, she is the best thing that ever happened to us.
Ms. Lilly, we love you!
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What are you thankful for this week?
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, what an awesome woman to have in your life. It sounds like you and C are really blessed to have her. That was a great Thank You Journal entry – I really enjoyed it.
I was compelled to come and read because of the post’s title. It seems that your landlady and I actually share the same name!
It’s a lovely name! If I ever have a baby girl it will definitely be in my shortlist.
What a sweet tribute to Miss Lily! She sounds even more awesome than that electronic maid in the Jetsons, who I thought was unbeatable. But she never said charming things like “knackered.”
Oh, Ms. Lilly beats the Jetson’s maid hands down because she’s so LOVING.
I think C’s first words are going to be “I LOOOOOVE YOOO” because he hears it from her so often! (And from me too, ahem, but not nearly so often.)
As a divorced mom raising two young kids, I can so relate to your utmost appreciation for Ms. Lilly. One of the lessons that I have learned in life is that sometimes angels appear in our path when we most need them. How wonderful for you to have such an angel!
Whenever I get soppy with Ms. Lilly she just tells me to shush because “it’s what she would want for her daughters” if they were ever in my position. An angel indeed.
I have read several studies (can’t remember where) that show that people who give to others, even and perhaps especially in times of their own stress, benefit tremendously and are happier people. One of the lessons that I have learned in life is accept help when it is offered and just appreciate it, which is of course what you are doing!
I need a Ms Lilly in my life! How wonderful that you have a mutually beneficial relationship with someone like that. Looks like your son and you are both lucky to have her, and you guys are just the spark she needs to brighten her day!
My little C is like crack cocaine. He even makes Ms. Lilly’s aged, recently widowed mother dance!
You are so lucky to have Ms. Lilly. I want a Ms. Lilly! I hope she gets to read this.
I tried to tell her about it this morning, and she dashed out on me!
I should translate it, print it out, and paper her room with it. That’ll show her!
I’ll even include the comments.
How wonderful Ms. Lilly is. Such a blessing.
She is wonderful AND amazing. Also great, brilliant and incredible.
This was amazing. What a wonderful person to have around!
Go on, call me a lucky b*tch. You know you wanna.
Miss Lilly – do you have any additional rooms to rent. I’m a single mom of a two-year old. I’m told he’s cute – I’m too tired to have an opinion…..
Ms. Lilly’s middle daughter is on the verge of moving in with her BF, so a room may be free soon. I was hoping to move C into it, but you can try to convince us to let you have it.
WOW!
I wish I had met Ms. Lilly first and swiped that room right out from under your feet. Not C’s though- he’s very cute, we’d keep him around.
You are so fortunate to have such an amazing friend and influence in C’s life. You’re also very deserving of this love- remember this always.
You want my room? You can have it.
It is only fair to tell you that C makes a TERRIBLE roommate.
Yup, one room for both. Only Ms. Lilly could make it worthwhile!
You’re writing about here is perfect….I can really feel your sincere love and thanks for her. I could even tear up a bit if I let myself but I’m holding back! You are blessed!
Wonderful post.
Wow, thanks! I hate writing “serious” stuff.
But I LOVE Ms. Lilly, and I’m glad I could write a more-or-less deserving tribute to her infinite goodness.
She sounds like an absolutely amazing woman!
She is.
It is all I can do not to slap her daughter when she gets a little fresh. “Don’t you know how AMAZINGLY GOOD your mother is, you little shit? Here, have mine, let’s see if you get bitchy ever again.”
Daughters, eh? *blush*
I’m glad you got the opportunity to guest post here so we could read this beautiful testimonial.
I bet she’s like family to you and C!
Aww, that’s awesome.
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