Happy Mommy’s Day
Mrs. Abiola and her bundles of joy. From left to right: Sunmbo [Maryland, U.S.A], Bosun [Abuja, Nigeria], and Lawunmi [Maryland, U.S.A].
My mum means so much to me, even though we weren’t best of friends growing up, but over the years, I’ve come to really appreciate the “strictness.” My mother can sell the last shirt on her back just to make sure her kids are comfortable.
~
The Maternal Unit — also known as Mama CaramelD [London, U.K].
She is a Neonatal Nurse, and has been a nurse for over 30 years. She is Mum to a 28 yearr old and 6 year old, but she is a surrogate Mum and Aunty General to a whole army of nieces and nephews ranging in age from their 40s to infants. Her chin chin and puff puff will make you testify to the Lord and her favorite activities are burning up the dance floor, shopping for bargains, and speaking on the phone to her sisters. If I’m half the Mother she is when it is my turn, then I will have very happy children.
Sola Abimbola [Heavenly Places].
Fondly called SO (her initials) mostly behind her back, my Mum was one of a kind in several ways. One summary I often give is to say she was expelled from most of the schools she ever attended. She passed away five months ago at 55. A good friend of mine and medical school classmate posted this on the class alumni listserve a day after her death:
Tribute to a real woman
Our condolences go to the family at this trying time. We have been on her ailment for a while now but what can we say other than God knows best. Seye’s mum was an amazing woman who had a close touch with all Seye’s friends. She just gets interested in them so easily, especially those of us she saw quite often. While at UCH only a few weeks ago, we saw a different woman. Humbled by her illness, I watched her frail body. But one remarkable thing was her close touch with her Creator, encouraging us that all will be well, including preparations for my wedding. Mrs. Sola Abimbola, we will never forget you. I respect the life you lived, and I am proud to be called one of your sons. You lived to teach us how to be firm in whatever we say, do or live for. You stood up to authorities, principalities, and of course, oppressors without thinking of the consequences of your action; an action woman you were, always saying the truth even in the face of oppositions… A rare gem indeed… Only few mothers are like you. It is very hard for me to say this mama…Good night mummy.
For me, that captured quite a snapshot of who she was. She was even much more to those of us who were her biological children. I spoke to her every day. Every day. Some gossip, some gist, some banter. I used the words of the Polish poet, Wislawa Szymborska, in her poem, On Death Without Exaggeration, in my final good night message: “There’s no life that couldn’t be immortal if only for a moment. Death always arrives by that very moment too late. As far as you’ve come can’t be undone.” Goodnight, Mother. None will do: kind, sweet, beautiful, alive, loving, wonderful, giving, and self-sacrificing… You were all and much more: a true mother. We love you. I love you even more dearly. Goodnight, Mother. Indeed, as far as you’ve come, can’t be undone. Goodnight.
~ Seye
‘Debisi and Mom [Lagos, Nigeria]
We are as identical as two peas in a pod. Almost twins! Some people would say … We gats lots of disagreeing moments … aaarrrgggh!!! But, I gats no choice but to love her more!
~ Debisi.
Chimzurum and mother, Flourishing Florida [Lagos, Nigeria].
Motherhood, to me, is an opportunity to love unconditionally, to learn tolerance, to attempt to right the wrongs of your youth and those of your parents.
~ Flourishing Florida.
Tiwa and mom, Omolara [Cambridge, England].
My mother, simply put, means everything to me. She’s the best there is! There’s really nothing in this world she wouldn’t do for me, and I, the same for her. So here’s a picture of me and my mama! You can see I inherited her good looks, eh?
~ Tiwa
Ikedot’s Mom – Christy Oritsenaso Adeola (Nee Ogisi) [Lagos, Nigeria].
The relationship my three brothers and I have with my mother is a funny one.
Funny means good though. We each relate to her like she was our older sister.
Actually, I wonder how my mother made it through her early years raising 4 boys. Ouch!!! Whether it be all of us, some of us, or just one of us with my mother, I know there is one thing we do …. We laugh a lot. A whole lot.
Happy Mother’s day. Much Love.
~ Ikedot
Funlola and mom, Feyisara [Lagos, Nigeria]
Mrs. Anibaba, her three bundles of joy [left to right: Biola, Bayo, and Funmi], and her grandson, Dapo [Maryland, USA].
We took this picture in Lagos. Although my mother and I sometimes disagree, she is one of the most important people in my life. She is wise and takes the time to explain her experiences to me, so that I don’t make too many mistakes. She is kind, although she is tough. I think she’s an amazing mother!
~ Funlola
Lola and daughter, Ayokunmi [Johannesburg, South Africa]
“A child is someone you carry inside you for 9 months, in your arms for 3 years, and in your heart for eternity”
~ Unknown.
The feeling of being a mother is more amazing than I ever believed it would be. Thirteen months, and I still can’t get over the excitement and joy that she brings. The inexplicable feeling starts from when the little one is growing in your womb…..how do you begin to explain the thrill of a whole new life forming in you? Becoming a mother has made me love, respect, and appreciate my mother more than ever before. I thank God everyday for my daughter; each growth stage has been so wonderful, and I look forward to watching her grow into a strong, beautiful, God-fearing woman.
~ Lola
Busola [Maryland, USA], her son, Chidi [Maryland, USA], and her grand-mother [Ondo, Nigeria].
Do you know what it feels like to stand with your son’s daughter’s son? This mother, grand-mother, and great grand-mother knows, and it is my prayer that some day, I too, will stand with my children’s children’s children.
Motherhood has changed my perspective about mothers in general. I didn’t know how hard and fulfilling it is to be a mother until I became one. After becoming a mother, I realized that the love between a mother and her child is unconditional, which made me appreciate the mothers in my life even more. Thank you Grandma Osun for your love, for your support, and for raising me. Thank you Mom [Mrs. Adelokun] for giving birth to me, for your love, and your endless support. Thank you mommy Sari for being the best mother-in-law in the whole world. To all the mothers out there including my friends, family and loved ones, Happy Mother’s Day to you all. I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to be a mother. Being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
~ Busola
Mrs. Anibaba, her three bundles of joy [left to right: Biola, Bayo, and Funmi], and her grandson, Dapo [Maryland, USA].My mom is the bomb! She is simply gorgeous, awesome, and definitely enduring.. She is a mother… Love her loads…. Happy Mothers Day, mom.
~ Funmi
Nwamaka… but you may call her Grandma Verastic [Maryland, USA]
The differences between my grandma and I are visible to a blind man and audible to a deaf man. The differences are evident in her hatred for the way I eat too much pepper, my irritation in how she worries about everything [like why the contestant on Jeopardy bet all his money when he knew he got the answer wrong], and they’re in our age — obviously. She’s a wee bit older than I am. I could probably type a page full of all the things I don’t like about my grandma – and it would be single-spaced – but this grandma of mine, I wouldn’t trade her for any other one. The things I don’t like about her, they’re the things I love about her: the way she cares so much about everyone and everything, the way she still wants to give pocket money to her 40+ year old daughter, and the way her sarcasm shines through. Oh, yeah… sarcasm. Most of all, this woman birthed my mother. I hate it when they both gang up on me, but I love her so.
~ Vera Ezimora.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the precious mommies out there. Let no one who was born of a woman dare to challenge your worth.
~ Thanks to everyone who participated, including my grandma who unknowingly participated.
oh. i am so emotional right now. thanks Vera for the post.
awwww that was a wonderful post. Happy mother's day to all the mothers out there and the future mothers.
B
This is sooooo beautiful. Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there because if not for them, the world wouldn't be. Hopefully someday, some of us will get to enjoy motherhood and be as great as our mothers.
Very nice, happy mothers day to all the mums, grandmums and prospective mums out there
aww Vera. this is so nice.
happy mother's day to y'all!!!
so lovely.
🙂
This is a great post. Thank God our mum's who made us who we are today 🙂
I love this post, and I love my mother. Happy mother's day to us all. Tahnks for putting this up Vera.
Vera, thank you so much for doing this. There is nothing really that beats the bond of a mother and her child. Today I called my mum to say "happy mother's day." Before I called her I was recounting all the experiences where I argued with her and eventually found out that I was wrong. I didn't tell her about my thoughts anyway, I just smiled to myself. A mother's advice can't go wrong.
I LOVE U MUMMY (even if she isn't reading verastic.com), lol.
Awww too cute!
This is such a beautiful tribute…some of the stories shared really touched my heart.
May your mother rest in peace, Seye.
awww Seye may ur mum rest in peace
beautiful post Vera
Seye may your Mum rest in peace, Amen.
Vera, loved it all! Thank you for giving us an opportunity to remember what superheroes our Mums are.
This has left me misty eyed…Thanks for sharing all y'all…
-XX
awww, so so sweet! GOd bless our Mummies!
Oh my! this is so touching!
Happy mother's day to all! and RIP to Seye's mommy.
this is lovely..and yes, mothers are the hands that hols the world..May our mothers be continally blessed and may they live to see their children's children's childrn..
may we also be spoken of in such glowing terms by our own children..
Seye- my heartfelt sympathies on the passing away of your mom. God will remain a faithful mother to u
Aww Vera you look like your grandma!!! I totally forgot to participate! Next time! Happy mothers day!
Gosh this is so sweet…my eyes are moist!
Mothers are such great beings…
LOL @ your grandma unknowingly participating…teehee!
This very lovely post!
~x~
My entry is so late (that's because we've already celebrated our mother's day in March)… But I would love to repeat it all again, and everyday for the rest of my life… my mum is indeed a super woman. No lie. She is always ready to fight with any man, woman, beast, whoever you are that tries to stand in the way of her children.. kilo de!! I remember growing up, and not wanting to go out of the house past our curfew (4pm :)), because we knew mum would worry.. as strong as she is.. she is also a jelly.. I once asked a friend what her mum would do, in the face of news that was not so welcoming.. she told me her mum would say.. it is not true, God has not told me, and would start to pray.. I smiled and said to her, all of my years I have known my mum as a strong woman of God.. but if she were to hear bad news, the first thing she would do is scream mama anyio (our mother oo..; her papa died when she was 1 and she was raised by her mother :)) then faint first :), and then gather herself and start to pray.. I always used to say mummy D, I thought you are a woman of faith.. thats just the way she is.. natural born worrrier, Ph.D in worriology.. and we couldn't do anything that would cause her to faint.. It was better for her to be fighting with our teachers and all those people that were making nonsence comments about what her children is capable of.. you dare not come next to my mum and tell her one of her kids is ugly.. that one is another world war :)..
I love my mum, especially the way growing up I was so scared of her, cause when shes angry her steps sounded heavier, and it always seemed the house was about to collapse…:), after many years we were all to discover she is such a softie.. but it's funny, she doen't want to argue with any of her children.. infact when Im upset with her, she'll be the first to say sorry O.. but let a stranger or someone other than her children try that..unless that person is looking for somthing to happen to them that day..
I could write long stories about my mum, her loves and her pains, her strungles and her victories,, her dreams and her worst nightmare.. her hopes… but verastic comment box will not be enough for me to write them all down.. so I'll stop her.
well done vera for this.. and I pray that your children will call you blessed and love you, the way you've done for your mum and grand mum..
cherio my sweet.
Your grandma is adorable. It is well with you and yours Vera. Stay blessed.
Thanks Vera!
Gosh, suddenly feel like calling my mum…
Vera, which one be the use of antithesis again: The things I don't like about her, they're the things I love about her"