A Prayer for my Mama

Today is Mother’s Day and I would like to offer my congratulations and good wishes to my readers as we celebrate this sentimental occasion.

An American named Anna Jarvis was the founder of Mother’s Day. The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in May 1908 at St Andrews Methodist Church in West Virginia when Anna paid a tribute to her mother Ann Jarvis. Ann Jarvis was an American peace activist who nursed wounded soldiers in the American Civil War and founded Mother’s Day work clubs to solve public health issues. This Methodist Church is now the International Mother’s Day Shrine and is a National Historic Landmark. Three cheers for Anna Jarvis!.

A century later this tradition continues and thanks to Anna who created this special day for the matriarch in our lives.

Mother’s Day is a particularly emotional day for me as my mama is now with her Lord. If you ask me what is my favourite memory of my mama, I would say, she loved me deeply every day till she passed.

Each year as Mother’s Day approaches, my mama’s memory comes stirring. You see, my mama who was strong, vibrant and courageous passed away a few years ago. Little did I know that, I would not find anyone with her kindness and nurturing nature after she was gone.

I dedicate this day for the most-kindest person in my life “my mum, my mother” because whatever I am today is because of my “MOTHER”. Thank you so much mama for everything that you were. I love you my mum, my angel in heaven.

To my Mama

I dedicate this page to my mum in heaven who inspired me to prepare the the most divine dishes featured below in my senior school years which are my all time favourites even to date

My mama enjoyed cooking for her family and many of my memories stem from family gatherings around the dinner table. Today, I keep her spirit alive by cooking some of her favourite recipes and sharing these special recipes with my son.

I was unable to attend her funeral. Although I had said goodbye to her from so far away, in my heart she is still around in the family home that I grew.

In the first and second week of May each year these memories haunt me. She is so fresh in my memory. Unfortunately, I do not have any voice recordings and family movies to watch.

However, in my closet, I have a beautiful blue saree that my mother used to wear in the years just before she passed. Whenever I open my closet door, I can see this beautiful turquoise saree and at once I feel her presence in my home. Mama, you are a part of me every day. Mama I love you. Mama I honour you.

Turquoise is a blue-green colour that is said to connect heaven and earth. This colour helps you connect to the spiritual world.

Thanks to my brother who mailed this saree to me a few months ago and now I can preserve this special memory in a little corner of my closet specially dedicated to my mama.

I thank God every day for my mama. She cared enough to believe in me and never lost faith in me. I thank my mum for her wise advice on maintaining a positive attitude at all times.

I thank God every day for my mama. She did not call me a loser when I did not shine. She was my biggest supporter whether I got good grades or bad. She built my strength when my world was falling apart.

I thank God every day for my mama for those beautiful childhood experiences that shaped the life I have today. No matter how stupid I felt she always attached a positive label to my negativity.

I thank God every day for my mama. She instilled a philosophy in me called “everything is beautiful”. I thank God everyday for my mama for creating a powerful beginning of the rest of my life.

Even world leaders have expressed their love for their mothers. Here are a few of them that struck a chord:

To all the mums out there who have been a special part of my life, to all my sisters and my dear sister-in-law, to all my cousins, nieces, Aunties, all the grand-mums, to my friends who are mums, and to my friends who are going to be mums, I wish all of them a very happy “Mother’s Day”.

Today, I want to pay a beautiful tribute to my mama by way of a prayer to honour her memory.

Mama, thank you for what you were in our family. Thank you for guiding my first steps. Thank you for showing me so much tenderness even during the worst moments of your life. Thank you for nurturing me, your dedication and moral strength during my darkest days. Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made to raise me into the woman I am today. Each day I am grateful for your presence in my life whether in your person or absence. May God bless you as you rest eternally in heaven.

Thanks to all mums for your contributions and the care you give everyday.

Dear Lord, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.