A Mother's Day Miracle March 18, 2026 18:22

A graceful, softly spoken Sheila looked longingly at the garden-fresh red roses, for their rich, intoxicating fragrance had beckoned. She reflected on the miracle of their full floral bloom, a welcome contrast to a fast-crumbling world. These red roses seemed to be inviting her to touch their perfectly formed, velvet petals. Sheila lent over her neighbour's front red brick fence for a closer conversation. An old-world, red-brick fence that offered privacy and protection to her neighbours, a family who had been ravaged by the Depression years. Sheila understood that red-rose love can never be hidden. 

Sheila's neighbour, Jenny, now in her 50s, watched 14-year-old Sheila from her window. Sheila stood in her tracks, and took the time to smell the roses. Jenny felt compelled to leave the house and to chat to her young neighbour, who was clearly spellbound by the rose fragrance that she and her late husband had so lovingly nurtured. Jenny smiled as she pondered her own lost world: people did that, back in her day, they took time to stop, smell the roses and chat with neighbours along the way. Sheila now walked past Jenny's front garden every day, on her way to work at the Myer emporium. Sheila felt blessed to even have a job. It puts food on the table. 

'What do you think of our roses this season?', Jenny asked with measured pride. She knew Sheila shouldered responsibility way beyond her years and as neighbours, Jenny's family had kept an eye on Sheila and her family through the tough times. It was they who had recommended Sheila's elder brother of 2 years, for the railway labourer's job. Jenny wished that the world had been kinder to Sheila and her family: Sheila's courageous mother had been left to fend and care for 5 young children. 

'They're Mum's favourite,' Sheila felt confident to share. Without hesitation, Jenny snipped 5 long stems and handed the home-grown bunch to the ever-humble Sheila. 

'Then she shall have them, for Mother's Day', said Jenny. 'One flower for each of your brothers and sisters, to give to your Mum tomorrow.'  Sheila's own heart smiled and bloomed. This unexpected gift felt like a miracle for she thought she had nothing to give. At its heart, Mother's Day is a global celebration of the miracle of life and love. 

A miracle, indeed, that Sheila's family had even survived. A miracle that she and her older brother now had work, small, junior wages that held the family together. Sheila's own Mum, Anne, was devoted to her children and felt that each and every child was a miracle too. 
 
Every Mother's Day, my grandmother Sheila would place a bunch of garden-fresh, hand-picked red roses in a vintage vase on the family table for all to see, smell and to know love. The red-rose smell that connects hearts. The red-rose smell that unmistakably expressed Nanna's love for her own mother, and became the symbol of our love for Nanna, too. Whenever we walk past this enduring fragrant arrangement that time-stamps Mother's Day, we all feel our hearts in full bloom. 

This Mother's Day, take the time to stop and smell the roses.  

Jamie presents Beauty, Hand-repair cream and Katerina Facial Moisturiser to you, this Mother's Day.