UNLESS you have been living on the moon – and let's face it, none of us have – you cannot have failed to realise tomorrow is Mother's Day.

If you have somehow managed to miss this fact and have a mum, then frankly shame on you.

I am a firm believer in the fact many of the “special days” we celebrate - be that Valentine's, Halloween, the newish “Grandparents Day” (sorry but I refuse to accept this is a “thing”) - are just ramped up nonsense, dreamed up by card companies to make us part with our hard earned cash.

I am also certain the same rule applies to Mother's Day – and Father's Day while were at it – but I really don't care.

It really isn't important if Mother's Day is just a scam by card company bosses, what IS important is that it's the one day of the year when we can thank the person who has always, always been there for us.

Whether that be with a bunch of flowers, a big box of chocolates, bubble bath, something more thoughtful and personal (I used to take mine for a posh afternoon tea in the Lake District) or just a card, it's a way of showing them we don't know what we'd do without them.

I now have several friends who are mums themselves, but they all admit they couldn't get by without their own mothers.

Obviously none of my pals are youngsters any more. We (almost) all own homes, have sensible jobs, drive cars, pay our bills on time and can cook more than just spaghetti bolognaise.

And yet who do we turn to in times of crisis – that's right, our mums.

I know people who have called their mothers in the middle of the night for advice on how to get their teething baby to sleep, only for said mum (or gran) to not only dispense wonderful words of wisdom, but set off first thing in the morning to come and give their daughter a helping hand (and let her get some sleep).

And when you need a shoulder to cry on, who is the one person you know will always have time?

Or when you have good news, who is the one cheering the loudest in your corner?

Sadly, my own mum passed away several years ago. But right up until the end, she was there, a constant source of love and support, no matter what she herself was going through.

And not a day goes by when I don't wish I could have another conversation with her. Or another hug - nothing beats one of those.

So, this Mothering Sunday, if you have a mum, make sure you show her just how wonderful she really is – and spoil her rotten.