CELEBRATING WOMEN, REMEMBERING MY MOTHER

My mother played both the father and mother figures in my life, and she was excellent in performance of this unique parenting which she purposely took upon herself as her personal commitment. Although I had the privilege of being groomed by both parents from childhood all through my adult age. But my mother stood out a stronger father-figure in nurturing my mind and molding my soul. At the same time, she was a true mother personified - more loving and fond of me than an average woman or mother cares for their children.

My mother was full of emotional intelligence, her heart was blessed with pure love and her soul was angelic. I am really fortunate to be raised by such a compassionate superwoman. No day passes without renewing my love for my mother. Indeed, I remain indebted for her ingenious tutelage and tireless commitment to walk with me the path towards leading a successful life. No step I take and no move I make in life but the indelible values and virtues she instilled in me constantly surface as the shining light guiding my way. 

Her compassionate care towards me knows no bound yet my siblings share the same feeling of entitlement to her as they too daily experienced special loving moments of affections flowing from her kind heart made in heaven and her soothing words of wisdom. We hardly decipher who her favorite was among ourselves - her seven children - because she never picked a favorite but rather managed all of us as unique favorites. Iya-Ayinde, as I fondly call her right from my infancy and which later became her nickname, remains the hero of my world. keep resting with the Lord till we meet again in the Next Life. 

I shared the above write-up with my sister far away in London. The message resonated with her so much that she in turn shared it with her 13-year old son. Lo and behold! Her son declared: "Mom, I know you composed this about your late mother but this is exactly what you are to me". This feedback from her faraway grandson who never met her is a proof that my mother has truly fathered a generation and her legacy lives on. 

William Ross Wallace was right when he wrote in 1865 that "the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world". Indeed, motherhood remains a formidable force to make the world a better place. To attain sustainable growth and development in our world, women are part of the equation and must be included in the process.

It is already five years you departed this world but I will forever miss you, my dearest mother! Rest in peace till we meet again!