My mum was a tower of strength, love and support to me and my three siblings across our growing years. When money was scarce, she made a way. When courage was failing, she whispered words of belief. When opportunities were presented, she stepped into them. When we achieved, she celebrated. And then when my dad, the love of her life, died in his 50s, she forged a new purpose. She went to Cambodia. Founded an aid organisation. Brought her ingenuity, business nous, and love for people to a new country which loved her back.

My mother in law escaped domestic violence in the early 1970s to be a single mother to four children. And along the way loved foster children and extended family members into her home with the same protective instincts. In her mid 30s, she went to higher education for the first time to train as a teacher in the day and work as a kitchen hand at night. And then, when the children left home to raise their own families, she traveled to Cambodia to lead a prisoner care organisation and raise a team of 50 staff and 100 volunteers from nothing.

The brilliance of these two women, fails to dim with age. It may now look more like sitting than forging ahead. And sound more like old stories than new adventures. And feel more like dependence and less like autonomy.

But nonetheless, as people, they are not diminished. Not fading. They blaze as women who’ve led the way. Women who continue to carry lanterns of wisdom and voices of courage. You’re not invisible. You’re seen and noted and looked for. May the years ahead be filled with enormous gratitude and satisfaction for all you’ve done. And all you’ve become.

You’re the heroes. And you’re loved. ❤