A love letter to a mother like no other

All our lives, you have lived only to bring smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts. Your heart is so large and accommodating, while you never complain, always willing to give. Your children (my siblings and I) are lucky to have you as our guardian angel and confidante. We even sometimes wonder how you do it, how you meet everyone at the point of their need, ever available, accessible and reliable. You know, like a guardian angel.

‘Mumsie’ (as we affectionately call you), you are a great teacher and it’s easy to learn from you, because you explain to the very last detail. Those qualities have seen you perform incredibly well at the home-front, as well as at your work environment. In ways you can’t imagine, you have touched lives and families that even you can’t understand. Doors open for everyone related to you simply because of the torrents of goodwill you pour out.

You proudly wear your three most important labels – wife, mother and daughter – because you carry out all the duties attached to them perfectly.

Mrs. Mshelia, you are a born leader and what the Bible calls a virtuous woman. As it’s been said, what you teach children will not depart them. As we all are in different fields of life we don’t forget where we come from or where we are going to because you taught us well. When God made mothers, He gave us the best. The bond we share is one of life’s most cherished and all you’ve given us, we certainly cannot repay. But that doesn’t mean we won’t spend our lives trying to. After all, you deserve it.

While it is said that people are not appreciated until they are no more, we beg to differ in your case. You’re alive and well, here with us and still a pillar of strength, as usual, so we want you to know how much you are appreciated. We actually do see your sweat roll down your brow just because you want us to have bright futures. We see it all, Mummy, we see it all. And so we pray that we continue to make you happy and put smiles on your own face and may our chosen life partners love you like their own mothers.

My siblings and I all agree that in our lowest points, you help us up. In confusion, you provide focus. Challenges never faze you or take you off-guard because you’re a prayerful woman.

As a friend and working mother, your never are too busy for us, balancing work and family like needle is to thread. You listen to our every complaint, quip, or even gripe no matter how ponderous it may be. Your smile, strength and unwavering faith in us all assure that all will be well, no matter how daunting the challenges may seem.

Not every mother is a friend to her children, but you balance both perfectly. You dance with us, make us laugh, and make our friends your friends. Some children are lucky to have caring friends, while some can boast of solid teachers and role models. We, your children, are blessed to have in you all those rolled in one.

So as you become a year older, I decide to write you this special love letter so the whole world will see our thoughts expressed, put a smile on your face and happiness in your loving heart. May every moment of your life be filled with twice as much comfort and happiness as you have given us and many others.

Mshelia, a lawyer, wrote in from Kaduna