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Today is my mama’s birthday and I wanted to write this post to share just how amazing she is. My mother’s name is Mable and she is the best mom ever!

I have always admired my mom. She is the most giving person I have ever met! She always puts us first before her, makes sure we look good before she does, and that we are taken care of. I used to joke that she is the one that holds our family together.

But it’s true. I don’t know how our family would function without her.

My mom is the one who used to wake up early in the morning to go to Gikomba (market) and purchase vegetables to be sold in our little Kiosk (store). She would wake us up early and get us ready for school, preparing rice and strong tea for breakfast for us. She would then walk us to the bus station and ensure that we got on the correct bus.

She is the same one who would wake me up at 5 am to do laundry with her. I would dread these moments because I really enjoyed my sleep. Grudgingly, I would wake up and help her hand wash heaps of clothes before the neighbors used all the clothesline.

When in Kenya, she was very audacious! She would always be ready to defend us whenever anyone tried to mess with us. I inherited my feistiness from her. My mama don’t play! She would throw an orange at us if we came back with the wrong milk or chase us down the street to beat us when we made a mistake. I am laughing as I write this because it’s funny now but it was terrifying then.

I admire my mother and I love her dearly. I have grown to respect and value her even more through my motherhood journey.

I strongly believe that I would not be alive and well if not for her. I don’t know that my babies would be thriving like they are.

She has been the wind behind my wings to help me soar. She has been the alarm clock that woke me up and encouraged me to go to work even though I was tired and didn’t want to do anything. She is my rock. She is the shoulder I cry on when I can’t hold it in anymore. She is the sound of reason when worry tries to rock my faith.

She is the epitome of motherhood, love, and strength.

When I found out I was pregnant, it was her that I first told in my family. She took the news calmly and supported me throughout my pregnancy. I expected a different response from her. I expected her to disown me or look down on me for having a child out of wedlock, but she didn’t.

Throughout the pregnancy, she ensured that I was well and the boys were growing as they should. This time really brought us closer.

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She was there during the delivery and after, she would come to the hospital after work so as to assist me.

She took time off from work the whole of March to help me transition into this new role. My mom abandoned her responsibilities at our home, canceled her plans, sacrificed her sleep just so I can be ok.

She left her comfy bed and shared mine for months, just so I can sleep at night while she helped me with the boys. She did it all for me. She has passed up opportunities at work so she can watch the boys for me while I worked. She has been the one to cheer me up when I felt down and encourage me to keep going.

A mother’s love is like no other.

There is no way to repay such a sacrifice. There are no words that can encompass the level of gratitude I feel towards her. No amount of money can repay this debt I owe. All I can do is ensure that I embody the same characteristics of a great mother that she has shown me so that my kids can one day say the same of me.

I love you, mama. Happy Birthday! I pray that God grants you more years so I can do my best to express my gratitude. No matter how much success I attain or the money I give you, none will be enough mama. I want you to know that I love you and I appreciate you. In those moments when I seem upset at you, please remember these words and know that you mean the world to me.

With Love,

Your Daughter