Day 1670 | No Words

Tonight I went out for dinner with a group of board members to celebrate the retirement of a very special lady. Not only the CEO of a super important organisation and someone that has given bucketloads to our community over the years but a lady that is as humble as the day is long. She also happens to be my mother.

Louise has given over 20 years in the mental health space and it’s impossible to put a number on the amount of lives she’s impacted along the way. It’s hard working in a field that doesn’t have a lot of indicators of success but mum took every day that she could be there for someone as a win.

But here’s how I know she’s a success.

For the first 20years of my life people would reference me in relation to my father. “Aren’t you his boy?” Or “geez you look like him” was common place for me because he was in a high profile job for years even after he wasn’t an active member of our family. It wasn’t always a positive reference either but it was something I got used to.

But for the last 20 years people have linked me with Louise and their tone is always beautiful. “I know your mum”, “Louise was the glue that held us together” and “she’s an amazing person your mum” was just a small sample of what I got weekly. She is loved far and wide and I’m not sure she grasps the enormity of what’s she’s done. And every time someone associated me with her, I was so proud, I near exploded. Adversity didn’t and couldn’t stop her from having a giant impact and giving with every inch of her heart, while also being the best mother on the planet to Emma and I.

So here’s to you, Louise. Words will never be enough but I’ll try….

You are genuinely appreciated, and the community is forever grateful. Thank you. X

#beautifulhuman #communityfirst #mamadutiesincoming #hudson365

Elders Devonport