My first birthday without a father
My mother’s journey from raising me as a child to a 30-year-old woman.
This weekend, I came to my mother’s house, and as I write this article, I asked her, ‘What do you feel when seeing this photo?’
She looked at the photo for a few seconds and replied, ‘It was really difficult for me, but I was happy that I could arrange a small birthday party for you.’
If you have read my previous articles, you already know that my father left me when I was 3 months old, and my mother was only 16. She never married again.
She told me that the dress I was wearing in that photo was very expensive for her, but with my grandmother’s support, she could even put a small gold chain on me.
Today, in this article, I’m not going to write about the sad story of my mother but her happy life story.
She devoted her youth to earn money to provide a better life for me. Her happiness was entirely dependent on me.
At the age of 28, she was able to build a 4-bedroom house for me, which is quite spacious. She collected the money for it by working abroad for 5 years.
That was an amazing achievement, right? I’m 30 now, and I’m still striving to save significant sums in my bank account.
During her time abroad, I managed to pass the Scholarship Exam, which was a big achievement for both me and my mother.
From there, time passed without any significant change until I passed the GCE O/L Exam in 2009 and the GCE A/L in 2012, which allowed me to fulfill my mother’s big dream of entering college. I wasn’t the brightest student, but I could do something to make her happy.
Especially, I want to say that all my mother’s advice shaped me into who I am today.
She taught how to be kind, respectful and grateful,
As well as the importance of effort, perseverance, and commitment in all endeavors.
She always remind me that her love and support are unwavering, regardless of my successes or failures which encourage me always.
I met my husband in college, and we both graduated on the same day. My mother was over the moon that day as she loves both my husband and me.
What else does she want in her life, right?
But I know she already spent years without the love of a husband and suffered as a single mom. Still, from time to time, that sorrow returns and lingers in her heart, and I can never erase it.
My family hadn’t taken any big weddings before mine. Although I wanted to have a very simple wedding, my mother had dreamed for years of seeing me in a traditional bridal outfit from our country.
I have to admit that I loved it a lot after seeing myself in front of the mirror.
As you can see in the photo I’m a copy of my mother.
My mother is 46 years old now, and I believe that she has achieved many things in her life compared to many others. She still has a long journey to go, and I’m looking forward to what life will bring her in the future.
Finally, what I wanted to convey by sharing this story with you is..
Being single can be a source of empowerment, not a limitation. It’s a phase that allowed my mother to set an example for me, to invest in our well-being, and to build the foundation for a brighter future.
Through it all, I’ve learned that life’s challenges can be the stepping stones to a more empowered, independent, and fulfilling future.
And I must not forget to tell you this:
Be a proud mother to your children.
Be a proud child to your parents.
