Happy Mothers’ Day 2022: My Experience with Mom, My Understanding of Mothers

I spoke to my mom on Wed, Feb 2, 2022, and in just about a week, she had transitioned to heaven.

What made it more painful was the fact that she sounded healthy, strong and passionate as ever.

Therefore, this is the first Mothers’ Day that I don’t have my biological mom to call, even as I truly appreciate the older women in my life who God has been using to mother me in different areas of life.

Since my mom passed away on Feb 8, 2022, I have been spending some time to better understand her legacy, especially because I intend to write a book about Generational Lessons from a Faithful Mother, put a scholarship in place to support less privileged students and start a Foundation to continue her good works of feeding the poor and ministering to the discouraged, dejected, and depressed.

Only this morning I sent a message to her publisher asking for the manuscript of her eleventh book which she did not get to release before passing on.

I will be writing the foreword for the book, and as the first step in the continuation of her honourable legacy, will publish it on the first anniversary of her sad and sudden passing from this world to the next.

Mothers are angels, so whether yours is still alive or not, reach out to a mother today and encourage them to remain purposeful, principled, passionate, patient, persevering, philanthropic and prayerful.

MY EXPERIENCE WITH MOM, MY UNDERSTANDING OF MOTHERS

I have always believed that women are the greatest asset in the world, for, through them, literarily, the world continues.

Even when God wanted to visit the world, he came through a woman.

When God thought man needed help, he created a woman and blessed her with the resilience and tenacity to stand firm.

While I celebrate the women of the world, certainly my wife, daughter, and sister and those who have sacrificed their lives for their families, communities, nation and indeed the world at large, I celebrate my biological mother.

She is an extraordinary woman of exceptional brilliance, beauty, brightness, and boldness.

She did not just give me life, but she also made sure I was protected and provided for.

She went to school to the highest level, attained the highest level in her profession and yet also attained the most gracious level in motherhood, womanhood, and wifehood.

When no one saw anything good in me she did and always encouraged me.

When I was repeatedly told that I was useless as a child with no future or ambition, she would always dance around and called me “Nosakhare, the Great.”

When everyone else taught me my academic results were poor, she would take my report card and always found some progress that made her dance.

When I ran away from home multiple times as a troubled youth, she came looking for me in the home of all my friends she knew – one by one until she found me.

In her 75 years on earth, she went through the deepest pains and yet remains the loveliest mom ever.

My mom was an exceptional leader, a rare breed, a royal diadem in the hands of the Lord.

I have learned that most of the leadership qualities I am known for and admire in great leaders, which are not taught in school, by the way, came from her.

Even as a wordsmith, a writer par excellence, I am often short of words to describe the depth of her commitment as a mother to me, inexplicable dedication as a wife and unconditional love for everyone.?

Surely a woman of noble character, her motherly instincts coupled with her wifely nature sets her apart.?

This is my experience with my mom, the foundation that informs and inspires my understanding of mothers in general – that they are:

1. Mothers are Sweet
2. Mothers are Stunning
3. Mothers are Selfless
4. Mothers are Strong
5. Mothers are Soft
6. Mothers are Strategic
7. Mothers are Sacrificial
8. Mothers are Sagacious
9. Mothers are Spiritual
10. Mothers are Special

SPECIAL TRIBUTE FROM MY DAUGHTER TO MY MOTHER

My beloved grandmother, I am and will forever be thinking of you.

I appreciate the many examples of compassion, love and humility you portrayed for all of us.

I am inspired by the impact that you've had on so many people, and for the passionate love, you have for God.

You were always so immensely proud of us, your children and grandchildren, my Dad and me.

I would like to thank you for the abundance of morals and values you taught my father that has paved the way for my journey in life thus far.

All the lessons you taught and wisdom you shared and lives you've touched as a teacher, principal, executive director, spiritual leader, preacher, author, and mother figure will forever be remembered and passed on.

I love you, grandma, you are now and forever in peace.

May you rest in the arms of the Lord until I see you again.

In today’s Empowerment Sunday, I will be speaking on:

The Seven Kingdom Principles of Extraordinary Mothers:

The Life, Leadership and Legacy of Mary Ogbeide-Ihama

To join us soon or other podcasts throughout 2022, click here .