This is my mum, Mary. She is the best. To say our relationship has become deeper and stronger over the past two years is quite true. I was a headstrong, adventurous teenager, and became even more of an adventurous, headstrong student. So I didn't always give her the best; I was a lot of hard work hence our constant arguments and the endless tirades on my part, given in response to her attempts at parenting. She loves me too much, that's sometimes the problem. But this time two years ago I graduated from Edinburgh College of Art. I knew she was proud of me because she came to London to see my exhibition and then at dinner afterwards she gave me her pearl necklace. That summed up so so much in one simple gesture. I always loved that pearl. I love the story behind it, I love how much mum loves the people and her life in the story behind it, I love how it's kept so carefully in a drawer, I love the smell of those drawers, I love the red colour of the box, I love the size of the pearl, I love the sleek golden attachment, I love the length of the chain, I love how wearing it brings out an elegance in my collar bones. I love so many things about it. And I wasn't even allowed to borrow it. Now, I love that she loved it so much she was scared to lose it. And now it's mine. Not only has she let me wear it, she has let me keep it. Where it can be mine and build my own story behind it, on top of hers. Where it can remind me how much I love the people and life from that time. Where I can keep it carefully in a drawer of my own, in a room with a smell of it's own. Where I can wear it and feel elegant. Where I can wear it and feel close to her. Where I can make a gesture to show how much I love her. This time last year she supported me through a very difficult and emotional stage of my life, and supported me in my choices to get out. It is because of that support I found a new friend and my first job. I now work as a Childrenswear Designer - exactly what I would have told you I'd like to do in my career, if had you asked when I was studying. I am a lucky girl. And again, mum came to visit. To show she both cares about me and is also proud of me. She came to Yorkshire to see my first job, where it has brought me in geography and in life, where I am finally grown up. That first month I paid my own rent for the first time in my life, I felt so proud of myself, to have finally done it and made it to where I wanted to go. I owe so much of the pride in myself to her, because of all the support over all the year. If she hadn't helped me how she did, or if she hadn't always been there for me when I needed her, if she hadn't learned to listen, I wouldn't be where I am today. Or who I am today. I'd wouldn't be half the person. I promise.
