Happy International Womens Day

Starting with my Nanny. My Nanny is husband to one frustrating man, mother to five children, four girls and one boy. She is grandmother to sixteen grandchildren and great grand mother to twelve. She has been a housewife all her life, marrying at seventeen. She’s suffered mental health problems, lost family, close family but through it all, she’s held our family together. Although my grandfather claims to be the head of the family, it’s really my Nanny. She gives and gives, she has a heart of gold and she has time for every single one of us. I feel so thankful Little Miss has such a strong woman in her life.

Next, my sister Erin. My sister and I never got on while growing up. We were close in age and I resented that we were treated like twins. Even now, at almost twenty six and twenty four, we still differ on things but one thing I know is she’s an inspiration. She has overcome depression from the age of seventeen, she has had so much heart break but now she is a mother, has a fantastic job, her home and car, and she’s finally in a happy relationship. I really hope she continues to grow as a person.

Hayley and I bonded last year over the fact we were both having a really crap time. She’s the best person I have met through blogging, a genuinely lovely girl with just my sense of humor. She puts up with a lot of crap which she doesn’t deserve and for that, she’s an inspiration. She’s also has one of the first blogs I ever read and it’s so great seeing her get the recognition she deserves. I think she is awesome.

Then the two girls currently occupying my bed, Jessica and Kariss. They were my first friends at university and we have been through so much together. Jobs, friendships, relationships. They have picked me up when I’m down and make me laugh like no one else. They have each overcome so many obstacles in their lives and now as we head into our mid to late twenties, we’re in places we never thought we would be. But we know that 10 years down the line, we’ll still be friends holding each others hands we head towards our forties!

My best friend Bee, my role model as a mother and the big sister I never had but always wanted. If anyone has put up with my emotional drama over the years, it’s been her. She’s the person who gives the best advice and throws the best parties. She’s also one of the strongest person I know. Everything she has been through just makes me admire her more. Aside from my own, she’s the best mother I know with two fantastic daughters who I love so so much. I feel so thankful that I met her, that she helped me through some of the toughest times of my life, put a roof over my head TWICE and is always there for me.

Finally, my mum. My mum is the most fantastic human being I know. She is such a strong woman. She was a stay at home mum for seven years then in her mid thirties she went back to train as an early years teacher. She has put up with my sister, my dad and myself and all our problems. She has held together a fantastic family home. I wrote more about her here on mothers day last year and I’m sure I’ll write the same again this year. She is fantastic. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if it wasn’t for her.

Who are your inspiring women?