My favourite family photo: ‘I can still feel my mother’s arm around my shoulder’
I love the way we are both looking in astonishment at my son. It shows the unwavering support she gave me when he was born
TL;DR
- The photograph was taken in May 2002 at University College Hospital, London.
- It features the author, her mother, and her newborn son, Theo.
- The author cherishes the elegance of her mother in the photo and the composition.
- She recalls the excitement of her parents meeting their first grandchild.
- The author felt immense relief after a difficult night with the newborn, and her mother's arrival signified comfort.
- Her mother provided constant support during Theo's first year, helping the author cope.
- The author's mother reframed parenting challenges as solvable puzzles.
- A second favorite picture shows the mother contentedly holding a six-month-old Theo.
- The author's mother passed away 18 months after the photograph was taken.
- The author continues to feel her mother's comforting presence through the memory of her arm around her shoulder.