By Guardian Life readers
12 May 2024 | 6:12 am
Mothers are the unsung heroes of our lives. This is why, every year, we take out a day to celebrate the women who sprinkle a bit of magic into us. While we honour mothers for their roles in our lives, we recognise that they are more than just people who make sure we are fed…
Mothers are the unsung heroes of our lives. This is why, every year, we take out a day to celebrate the women who sprinkle a bit of magic into us. While we honour mothers for their roles in our lives, we recognise that they are more than just people who make sure we are fed and clothed.
This Mothers Day, Guardian Life is celebrating the incredible complexity of motherhood. From the stories they tell us about our heritage to the little sacrifices they make that often go unnoticed, mums are the real MVPs.
We invited our readers to share some incredible moments they’ve experienced with their mothers. Their stories remind us just how powerful a mother’s love can be. So, join us on this journey through the heartwarming tales of motherhood.
Olamipe
My mum, Oluremi, died over 35 years ago when I was barely six years old. Still, I could remember how good she was to her kids. She told us bedtime stories that seemed so real, that I felt tortoises could talk like humans. She could weave words like clothes and would sing to illustrate parts of her stories. After every entertaining story, she would take time to highlight the lessons therein and encourage us to imbibe them.
I loved cooking with her. While she never allowed me to cook anything from scratch, being the eldest of her kids, she often asked me to stay with her while she cooked, and she took her time to explain everything she was doing. She made me love being in the kitchen. She’d help me with my homework from school. She would explain maths to me in words I could easily understand. If it was too difficult for me to grasp, she’d make stories around the figures. I hated maths after she died, and I found it extremely difficult to deal with the subject for years.
There were days she’d teach me how to take care of my brother: she showed me the small things I could do as the older sibling to help him. The small things that mattered. I felt it was her own way of showing that family was all that mattered. It was as if she condensed everything she wanted to teach me as a human being into those short years.
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More than 35 years later, I still struggle to deal with that loss. All I have are memories, the lessons she taught me, and plenty of what-ifs and maybes.
Njideka
My father was sick for years and my mother, Uche, took care of him such that she is now used as a virtuous woman reference in churches during Mother’s Day. Did I forget to mention that one time, the venerable and the church brought gifts to thank my mum for being a worthy example? My mother is HER!!!
Nneamaka
I was a mischievous kid who enjoyed sliding on freshly powdered floors. You pour white power on a smooth floor and slide. My mum, Ifeyinwa, was so busy but she found time to join me. Our laughter while having fun is one of my fondest memories of my mum.
Nonso
Right from when I was young, my mother, Franca, has been the centre of my world. I was her only child for the first six years of my life, and she was my playmate, teacher, and best friend. During those years, we formed a deep bond that shaped everything about me.
Before she retired, my mother was a dedicated primary school teacher, and she had a unique approach to education. I believe that’s what pushed me to excel. Although I was in a different school, she treated me as one of her students, often teaching me materials meant for older kids. I still remember how she challenged me to spell “banana” when I was just two years old. When I did it, her joy was infectious. She taught me to embrace challenges and enjoy learning. This is what helped me start and grow my business, Drug-IT, to what it is today.
Photo credit: Pexels / William Fortunato
My mum loves helping people, even on our modest budget. She taught me the importance of giving without expecting anything in return. Although I was raised Catholic, I still find myself questioning religion. She knows I struggle with my faith, and her prayers give me some comfort. Although I still seek her advice during tough times, and she always lifts my spirits by reminding me of past challenges I have overcome.
I can’t bear to think of a future without her. I often skip Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran when it comes up; even though it’s a beautiful song, it captures the fear of losing a mother. My deepest wish is for her to see my children grow up, to play with them and share the love and lessons she has given me.
Itoro
Eka usen nnan eyen! Iya bi Iya! Mummy Florence gave it all for us, her children, to succeed and be reckoned with. Mum prayed for us tirelessly. She’d sold anything to see us survive hunger and kwashiorkor, from selling hay to weeding for other women with farmlands. She did it all for us; I will never take her sacrifices for granted.
Ayobami
My mom, Rasheedat, is the queen of standing on business. She is a true businesswoman to the core. She gets her bread and has succeeded in the cut-throat corporate world. I admire her for that, and I hope to emulate the example she’s set for me.
Oluwatosin
On one rainy day, when I was in Junior Secondary School 3, my mom, Taibat, carried me on her back so I could go to school to sit for the NECO exam. She did this so I wouldn’t have to wade through the flood outside our house. I still think about this from time to time.
Lukman
When I was ill and my left kidney was removed, my mom, Rabi Sani, stayed with me through every stage of the treatment, from consultation to diagnosis to surgery. We went through a lot together, and whenever I remember it, I feel sorry for my mum and appreciate how she was there for me even when it wasn’t convenient for her.
Sarah
I remember a certain night when I offended my dad. My mom, Ruth, had to start running helter-skelter to wake our neighbours up so they could come and beg my dad. She’s so kind-hearted, and I love her so much. I admire her strength and resilience.
Opeyemi
I have fallen sick many times, and every time that happened, the care and love my mom Bisi Otulaja showed me was indescribable. She has sacrificed so much for the six of her children to be great in life. She is a mother indeed.
Esther
My mother, Queen Thomas, is a hardworking woman, a housewife, a manager, and my everything. She is truly a woman after my heart, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my mum. She made sure I lacked nothing good. I’m saying a big thank you to all the mothers in the world.
Olubunmi
My mom, Olatokunbo Merotiwon, is my hero. She taught me all I know today, and this formed who I am. I am indeed grateful for the love, care, nurturing, rebuke, and protection we got from her. She is the most selfless human on earth, and I love her so much. Mothers.
Amarachi
My mother, Onyekachi Agwu, loved so brightly, it gave me hope, illuminated my darkest moments, and nurtured my soul. It’s her love that transformed me from a lost child to a confident, compassionate, and purpose-driven individual. I am forever grateful for her unwavering support.
