Tribute to mothers
As we remember Mother’s Day, walk with me down memory lane as we consider how to celebrate her.
Do you remember she was the one watching over you during your developmental stages, spending sleepless nights as your fever raged on when you had your first measles jab? She cheered you on as you took your first steps singing ‘dede, dede waimirira, dede dede mawa ayenda’ and just that voice was enough to make you excitedly move wobbly steps forward! She was the one who proudly tucked in your uniform as she got you ready for your first day at primary school ensuring that your snack box had ‘more than enough’ to keep you going throughout that first day – the snack box would in some cases be a bottle filled with fried maize in salty water with a maize cork as a stopper. What creativity! An expert multi-tasker – she takes over the ‘nursing duties’ at the hospital, where she is not only able to look after her husband, but also her husband’s sister whose spouse comes only ‘during visiting hours’ as ‘kudikiramatenda’ is not a man’s job! She is the woman who has one baby on her back, another tugging along at her clothes while she is balancing her ‘mobile investment’ on her head as she goes about trying out her entrepreneur skills. At funerals, she is one who sits next to the coffin (regardless of who has died) and yet is expected to ensure that the domestic and food issues are being tackled.
She helped you memorise your very first verses. During sports day, she was the greatest cheerleader – her voice so hoarse as she endeavours to be the number one fan to you, her beloved child! Woe to anyone who dares call you anything that is contrary to what she esteems you to be – the predatory instincts like that of a hen come out within her to protect the precious baby she calls her own!
Ordained by God to make a difference, she can change a wild plant into mouth-watering relishes like chisoso, bonongwe, denje etc. What a woman!
