Mum's the word

My Mum hasn't been well this week, so here's a eulogy for mothers in general.
When I was young I thought there was nothing my Mum couldn't do. I remember watching an old Disney film called Old Yeller in which a family adopts a yellow labrador that saves their lives (or something) and becomes injured as a result. The family lives miles away from a vet so the mother has to sew up the dog's belly while the children watch in awe, safe in the knowledge that Mum would be able to save their dog's life. I instinctively knew my Mum, sitting beside me, could do the same.
When did they stop making Mums like that? I couldn't sew up a dog's belly to save my own life - let alone that of the dog. In fact I couldn't even gut a fish or stuff a chicken. I hope my kids never knew their hypothetical dog was as good as dead in my hands.

Other things Mums should be able to do:

Make pancakes
I tried again last night - ie Shrove Tuesday - but all I ended up with was little dollops of stodge covered with syrup and sugar. Poor kids - they still don't even realise how pancakes are actually meant to look and taste.
Know instinctively when a child is too ill for school
She doesn't say: Don't you think you ought to go? How ill do you feel exactly? Can't you decide by yourself?
Remember things
She'll have your packed lunch, ink cartridges, PE kit and school trip money all ready for you - and you'll just take it all for granted. In fact your lithe young brain will still be wrestling with where you put your school shoes while Mum's shrivelled up one grapples with everything else.
Be there when you're miserable
Let's face it, after you've reached your teens she'll become like some old coat that may be warm and familiar but doesn't quite fit any more. You hardly ever want to wear it - but you still like to have it around for thise rare occasions when nothing else will do.