Motherhood is like watching God’s miracle slowly unfolding. Everything is beautifully crafted ; from the moment of conception, through the nine months they carefully carry us in their wombs, the painful labour process, to the minute they hear our first cry, hold us for the first time and lovingly breast-feed us.
A few mothers I have spoken to say the same thing; that is amazing how; after the cramps, the pushing, the cutting and outright PAIN they go through in the delivery room, everything melts away the moment they see and hear their little one. And once they hold their precious little bundle in their arms, they embark on yet another journey of selflessness, strength, worries, staying up all night, tantrums, home-works, tears, scratches, burns, accidents, medications and pure love.
They watch us as we take our step, are excited to hear our first word (which is, ironically, almost always daddy!) and are anxious as they drop us off at the first day of school. They proudly cheer us on at school plays and sports days; nothing fills a child with as much joy as knowing that mum is somewhere in the audience, almost reciting everything word for word because she helped her baby rehearse. I remember almost falling apart at a standard three school play because my mum had travelled and could not attend the play night. Even though my dad was there, I still felt a little unenthusiastic and sad because I felt something was missing!
A mother is the wind beneath her child’s wings and she has to guard her mouth and reactions with care because what she says will either make or break her children. Her belief in her child will determine the level of self-confidence he or she has. If she sacrifices her time to put in a little more work, to help her child through hurdles, to tell them how beautiful they are her effort pays off because as a child, nothing means more to you than the opinion your mother has of you. Even though people in the streets, relatives and family friends oohed and aahed over me as a child, it is only my mother who told me I was beautiful and explained that beauty in detail to me that I began to see things within me that I previously had overlooked.
Because my own mother stayed up with me to help me revise my school work each day, I became better in class; especially in English, which was also her favourite subject. She would sit with me and tirelessly teach me pronunciations of words over and over until I got them right.
I realise now that she was probably tired from a long day of work, cooking supper for the family, changing my little brother’s diapers and making sure my older brothers were fine; but she set that exhaustion aside and put the little energy she had left into our daily revisions. Isn’t that what motherhood is about; enduring, sacrificing and giving to your very last drop?
Imagine how mothers skilfully endure the difficult adolescent years, when bright happy children turn into moody, misunderstood teenagers with agendas. As we grow into our individual characters and take up different personalities, our mother’s love remains steadfast and their belief in us undying.
It is only when we are older, a little wiser, that we look back and realise that a lot of the things our mothers did were for our own good and that they make a lot of sense. It is then that we begin to search for the little gold nuggets of advice in every interaction that we have, so that we ably navigate our way through adulthood. It is at this point that we realise that yes, mothers are only human; they will inevitably make mistakes; but at the very essence of their core; they only wish the best for us.
Therefore, as we celebrate Mother’s Day this week, show your mother how much you appreciate her presence in your life. If she is no longer with you, reflect on the lessons she imparted, say a little prayer and remember that she is now your guardian angel; watching over you from heaven.
