They say "motherhood never ends."

But neither does daughterhood.

Is daughterhood a word? That red squiggly line thing isn't coming up, so I guess it is.

Mothers, I'm told, never stop worrying about their daughters (and sons).

They only want the best for them.

They wish them every happiness they can find.

They secretly cross their fingers that they will have an untroubled life.

They constantly want to feed them things.

When I stayed at my mum's place in Sydney a few weeks ago, she repeatedly chased me around the house, which went something like this:

Mum: "Nat, would you like some leftover schnitzel?"

Me: "No thanks mum, I'm not hungry yet."

~ 5 minutes later ~

Mum: "Nat, would you like a ham and cheese sandwich? Just something small?"

Me: "No thanks, I'm honestly not hungry."

~ 4 minutes later ~

Mum: "Nat, are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"

Me: "Mum, no, I'm really ok... thanks."

~ 5 minutes later ~

Mum: "Nat, how about some cheese..."

Me: "Mum!!!"

Bless her.

I, too, only want the best for my mum.

I wish my mum every happiness she can find.

I secretly cross my fingers that my mum will have an untroubled life.

I don't want her to go hungry.

And, like all children, I want her approval.

I want her to like who I am: the bits that are like her; the bits that aren't.

I want her to trust my decisions, yet be there for me when I mess them up.

I want her to worry less about me, even though I know that will likely never happen, as I always worry about her.

I want her to be proud of who I am: the bits she created, the bits she didn't.

I want her to forgive me when I snap at her, as many children have a habit of doing but never intend.

I don't want my mum to ever leave me, even though I know she will one day. I'd probably prefer to leave her first, but I know that's not the way it should go and that it would break her heart.

And I don't want to break her heart.

So, while motherhood never ends, neither does daughterhood.

And thank goodness for that.

My mum in days gone by... aint she purdy? p.s. She still is.