As I was trying to figure out which of my blog post I would post next, I thought it’d be best that my next blog post is dedicated to my mother (especially since we celebrated mamas on Sunday). However, I did not want to just say a basic “I love you and thank you for everything” post. I instead write a letter-like post sharing things I hope my mom knows about herself. I hope this post does my mom justice so you all can understand why I love her so much. So, mama, this one’s for YOU!
Dear Mama,
1. I hope you know that your support for me and my siblings doesn’t go unnoticed.
Mama, your support and love for us runs so deep. You continue to sacrifice so much including sleep, money, and your own needs to ensure we have all we need and want. From supporting Cierra in basketball to encouraging me with my handmade crafts and blog to showing love for Equame’s creative picture and video ideas, you never cease to support us. Your support isn’t just in the words you say, but also through the money, you willingly put into helping our dreams unfold. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that while being a single mom of three, you also work full time and are simultaneously pursuing your doctorate degree. You continue to give of yourself, and you do so without complaining.
2. I hope you know that despite my stubbornness, I value your advice and encouraging words heavy.
Your words don’t fall on deaf ears though it may seem like I’m not listening. You have given me some many words that I have reflected on and used from time to time. You were there to comfort me when I thought the world is over with my first heartbreak. I thought that would never end lol, but I’m glad that I had you there to help me through it. Mama, now you know even in college, I would call you for every and anything. I’d call you saying “Mom, did I word this email right?” to “Mom, can you be my alarm clock (getting up too early was a struggle). You’ve never led me wrong, and so many times I think to myself “sis, you should have listened.”
3. I hope you know you’re the reason that I think more in-depth than the surface and have such great handwriting.
With you, mom, mediocrity wasn’t acceptable. I wasn’t allowed to just focus on what I could see. My mom is all about my siblings and me thinking deeper than the surface. So many random questions I had that my mom would not answer automatically. She wanted me to think it through first and develop my thoughts so I would know it for sure. My mom always challenged my thinking and had open discussions with me. “Think deeper Ekaila” is what she would always say. Why do you think that is an issue? What do you think it means? You don’t know the meaning of the word? Look it up. You are why I continuously question everything and take nothing solely at face value especially in today’s world.
Oh, and my handwriting that people swear looks like it’s been typed is all thanks to my mama not accepting my sloppy, rushed handwriting in elementary school. I would rush to write out my work, and if it looked sloppy, my mother would not take it. She would ball up my paper and say that I would have to do it over. I thought I was slick when I had one copy of the homework sheet. I knew she couldn’t throw it away and make me do it over since I had to turn it in. Well, I was wrong. This big ole eraser would come out, and she would erase my paper as clean as possible so I could do it over again. My mama would always tell me your work is a reflection of you, and you must take pride in your work and yourself. I would ball my eyes out, but sure enough, I began to take great pride in my work. I would never turn in anything I thought was sloppy or not a good representation of me again. Mom, I understand what you mean now by taking pride in yourself and best believe I will expect nothing less than the same standard from my children one day.
4. I hope you know that you are the epitome of a role model.
“God is within her, she will not fall” (Psalms 46:5 NIV). When I hear this verse, I think of you, mom. I admire how much you depend and trust in God, and how He always comes through for His children. You are selfless, loving, hardworking, intelligent and inspirational to list a few. Time and time again, you (with God’s help) make things happen and turn nothing into something. Thank you for continually praying with and for us. You’re my role model.
5. I hope you know that I love you and hope that one day I’m the strong, loving mother you have been to me to my children.
When I think about my career aspirations and my past internship at a Juvenile Detention Center, I realize so many children do not have a love of a mother that I receive daily. So many children need someone who cares deeply for them and checks to make sure they are simply doing well. I want to be like you when the times come, and I become a mother. I want my children to know that they have me in their corner to cheer them on but to also correct them as you did for us.
Dear Mama, I hope you know that the hopes I have mentioned here just barely describe the mother you have been to me and my siblings.
If I were to continue to write about you and everything you have done in my 21 years of life, I’d be writing for YEARS.
So, I’m going to summarize my love for you using clever lyrics from the late Tupac, “Ain’t a woman alive that could take my mama’s place.” This one’s for YOU!
If you’re seeing this, that means you’re a real one for seriously reading my whole post! I appreciate each and everyone one of you, and I would love it if you’d subscribe, share my blog with a friend, and comment!
Comment things you love about your mama in the comment section down below and thank you again!
