It’s a soppy one!

Hey there! Grace here.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Mine was busy busy! And so I’m now watching back my Mums Craft-Along on Hochanda. Didn’t catch it? Here’s a link to watch it on rewind with me!

https://www.hochanda.com/cinema/739175

I know I’m biased because she’s my Mum. But isn’t she wonderful? The moment her face appears on the telly grinning, I always grin along with her. I enjoy reading her blogs too, just like many of you do. She writes so beautifully that her personality, sense of humour and energy flow through the words, and hit you in your kitchen or living room, or wherever you are. I don’t think I’m the only one who can be brought to tears or laughter by her blogs and videos.

She’s one of those people that could genuinely do ANYTHING she sets her mind to. She chose Clarity. And blimey is she good at it. But she could be an award-winning author, or actor, or chef, or interior designer… or anything she fancied really.

She’s been saying for years that she wants to write a book. And I know it would be bloody brilliant. And I know you lot would buy it! She already has the audience and support, she just needs to find the time.

I just read a few comments on one of her blogs from last week, by her customers and friends, telling her how grateful they are to have found Clarity, and mostly her. How she’s helped them. And how she continues to help them get mindful and happier. How her daily blog is some peoples saving Grace of the day.

And I suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to blog about her. Because if her customers and friends feel that way about her (sometimes people that have never met her in person) can you imagine how her daughter feels?

In one word: BLESSED.

In a world where we inevitably and eventually lose the people we love, or they lose us, I just want to yell at the top of my lungs about how much I love and appreciate my Mum, Barbara Gray.

And thank you for loving her with me. I know it means a lot to her.

She’s certainly been through a lot in this life of hers, and though she doesn’t share that with everyone, I think that’s why so many of you relate to her. I grew up listening to her repeat these quotes to me:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

― Maya Angelou, Letter to My Daughter

And this winner…

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” 

She’s an incredibly wise and deep, sensitive and kind woman. And for that, I am eternally grateful. She has taught myself and my brother to be kind to a fault. Her contagious entrepreneurial mindset has set us up to succeed in life, no matter what hurdles come our way. Her ability to love unconditionally has been passed down to us both. And most importantly, to me, her ability to feel for other humans has never wavered.

Always teaching. Pictured here with Mark <3
Teaching me how to walk before I could run…

And as I’ve grown up, I’ve decided that’s all I really want in the people in my life. Empathy.

And how lucky am I that the MOST empathetic person I know, is my own Mum. Lucky lucky me. She doesn’t care who you are or where you are from, or what your story is (though she’s happy to hear it) but she will FEEL what you’re feeling. She will cry for absolute strangers. Or run and help a stranger without flinching, where some might feel uncomfortable. She feels everything. She is the epitome of empathetic. And I feel lucky to have grown up watching her every move.

Additionally, she would always tell me “the moment you tell someone about your good deed, it doesn’t count and it never happened” so I can only imagine the amount of good things she’s done that I have absolutely no idea about. What you see of her on the telly, or at a craft exhibition is truly the tip of the iceberg. And that may explain why we love her so much.

She is the reason why people love Clarity Stamp. She’s behind all of it. But there’s SO much more to her than Clarity.

Tell the people you love how much you love them. Go on 🙂

Lotsa Love, Grace xoxo

Clarity – The Home of Art, Craft and Well-being.

31 thoughts on “It’s a soppy one!

  • 18th February 2020 at 2:47 pm
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    You are truly blessed in your mum as I was in mine. Make the most of the time you are able to be around her, whether on Skype or in person because time is the one thing we never get back. Really enjoyed reading your blog, Grace. Hope your audio book is coming along well.

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    • 18th February 2020 at 10:46 pm
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      Your Mum I’ve always thought of as a wonderful person not just in the way she looks out for her parents and her brother but the way she is with her customers and friends too in fact as you say the empathy she feels with everyone even people she doesn’t know. I truly believe you to be a chip off the old block too Grace. You have a lovely Mother and Daughter relationship, she thinks the world of you too, and the same with your brother Mark. You’ll always be there for each other even if you are in different countries. God Bless you all.xx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 3:36 pm
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    Lovely words for a lovely person!

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    • 18th February 2020 at 7:25 pm
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      Firstly I love reading your Blog Grace you are very inspiring (just like your mum)
      Your Blog today made me happy and sad as I can relate in a different way as my mum was not very supportive and loving to me in lots of ways but I don’t want people feeling sorry for me because you see I have come out on top ….. I met your lovely mum years ago and her wonderful Clarity family and though Groovi I have the most amazing adopted family ever …….. I have my mum Rosalind Mclellan my sister Lynne Bedwell and my Nan Anne Kellythorn plus all my sisters and brothers all who are apart of Clarity Towers
      I’m happy and content looked after protected and loved
      So you see you are right Grace your mum has gone far and beyond her call of duty and I for one am so grateful!
      Forever in your mums debt ❤️❤️❤️
      Karen Smith Lincolnshire

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      • 19th February 2020 at 3:46 pm
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        Aww Karen, thank you. Don’t forget your other adopted sister, Sue Tomkins. We will all be together in just over two weeks time. I hope Josie and Chris are ready for us – all eight of us! Lol.xxx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 3:43 pm
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    Grace, What a lovely blog post. I got goosebumps reading it. Xxx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 3:43 pm
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    Wow, Grace! You are certainly following in your amazing Mum’s footsteps with your inspiring eloquent words and empathy of those around you.
    Mum’s are special and to be treasured, just as treasure mine, and I hope my daughter treasures me!
    Your mum is really special and since she bagan her blog all those years ago, I feel as if she is sitting next to me every day, with a cup of tea having a daily catch up or pep talk, or craft along while I read what she has to say. Just like you are doing now!

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  • 18th February 2020 at 3:45 pm
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    A lovely uplifting blog and, yes, you can’t help smile when B is on the screen. X

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  • 18th February 2020 at 4:22 pm
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    Your a lucky lass to have such a wonderful mum. So always be able to hug her as we have such a short time to enjoy these blessings xx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 4:56 pm
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    Awww that is such a lovely blog, i think the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. XX

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  • 18th February 2020 at 5:18 pm
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    What a lovely heartfelt blog , reduced me to tears x

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  • 18th February 2020 at 5:23 pm
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    not soppy Grace, just truthful.
    Xx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 5:50 pm
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    Grace … What beautiful words ❣️

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  • 18th February 2020 at 6:28 pm
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    Oh Gracie! You had me in tears reading your blog today.
    You are a bit biased of course but everything you say about your mum is so true. I am extremely glad I met her and now think if her as a dear friend!
    You have a great day
    Love and hugs Xxxx

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    • 18th February 2020 at 11:47 pm
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      Lovely blog Grace / thank you.
      Let’s hear it for our mums, still with us or gone to the great craft room in the sky – hip hip….xx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 6:37 pm
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    Aww what a lovely blog. A heartwarming read
    And yep your mum always brings a smile to my face I watched her bloopers on Utube the other night and I was In Stitches with her as she could not stop giggling.
    Hugs 🤗

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  • 18th February 2020 at 6:39 pm
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    Such a wonderful tribute to your lovely mum, you are very lucky to have her. It brought me to tears as my mum was a horror, and I will say no more about her. My dad was a treasure I miss every day since he died in 1980.
    I met Barb last year and she exudes friendliness, her very presence is like a warm blanket round all of us.
    Absolutely loved all the pictures.
    🍒

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  • 18th February 2020 at 6:41 pm
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    Lovely , lovely words Grace…all true. x Dave

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  • 18th February 2020 at 6:47 pm
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    That really brought tears to my eyes. You are blessed to have a mum who you love so much, but she is blessed to have you as a daughter. The Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. X

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  • 18th February 2020 at 7:28 pm
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    So so lovely Grace, you have your Mum’s gift for the written word, what a beautiful blog post xx

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  • 18th February 2020 at 8:46 pm
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    So very true and so very blessed are all us crafters. You too have a pure heart just like your mum Grace. Thank you for sharing x

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  • 18th February 2020 at 9:57 pm
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    How lucky you both are to have each other, you for having such a fabulous mum and your mum for having a daughter who truly appreciates her in every sense of the word. You seem to have a really great bond together, don’t every let anything change that. Love reading both of your blogs, please done stop x

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    • 20th February 2020 at 12:11 am
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      Absolutely wonderful post Grace and soppy is cool! Lovely photos and thank you for sharing the love. Your Mum is an absolute star! xxx

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  • 19th February 2020 at 7:02 am
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    Dear Grace, what a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to your Mum. I know her kind and wise public persona but obviously not the deep and personal individual that you know and love, so it was truly wonderful that you have taken the time to share this insight with us. There is so much truth in your words and I too love the Serenity prayer. Many years ago I purchased a small, illustrated calligraphy version from an elderly gentleman at a craft fair. It is so beautiful that I had it framed and although now yellowing with age it still graces my study wall and is my mantra for life. You and your Mum touch so many lives and we thank you for that. May God bless you both.

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  • 19th February 2020 at 9:09 am
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    I feel blessed to have met her and be part of the team. I so look forward to the Retreat and open days to be able to see Barb agsin xx Never met you Grace, but hope one day, that will change x

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  • 19th February 2020 at 9:42 am
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    Grace what a lovely blog about your mum. It’s hard living so far away but I know you must chat every day and you have certainly inherited a lot of your mums qualities. I’ve met your mum many times and yes her blog is like chatting to an old friend. There no tv face, she is what she is and that’s a lovely kind and funny human being. Thank you for sharing your mum with us. Love Diane xx

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  • 19th February 2020 at 1:35 pm
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    What a wonderful beautiful tribute to your Mum, I’ve not yet had the pleasure of meeting her but I love her, her blogs, her lovely clarity company/family and love you to Grace, love the empathy and love you both send out in your blogs ♥️♥️

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  • 19th February 2020 at 3:47 pm
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    Hello Grace,

    Not soppy at all. Just lovely.

    Love
    Roz.xxx

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  • 20th February 2020 at 7:19 pm
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    Your Mother taught you and Steve so well and is clearly so precious to you and you have the where with alll to tell her too, well done. Always impressed with how your Mum can turn things positive and how kind, caring and generous spirited she is and that’s aside from her astounding talent and work ethic which you appear to emulate. Well done Grace, as a follower of your Mum I’ve felt engaged in your delightful and talented family as have so many others.

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  • 21st February 2020 at 6:16 am
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    Hello Grace, a soppy but beautiful blog post, and thanks for sharing those lovely personal pictures with us. Your Mum is an amazing lady and I think you are truly your mothers daughter. Bx

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