According to a 2014 USAID report on children’s care and living arrangements, about 55% of children live with both parents, 25% are parented by only mothers while only 5% stay with their fathers, and 15% are cared by either grandparents, other family members, and adopted parent/foster parents.
Mothers earn the title in many ways that aren’t biological. The tasks and duties of a mother are often carried by people who didn’t physically carry the children. Simply put, motherhood is a state of being a woman.
Imagine a mother waking up at 4am every day, rushing to the kitchen and preparing her family for the day. She goes to work and comes home very exhausted, yet still serves dinner and assists the family for the evening. She not only performs the above duties but also performs her wifely duties. She wakes up intermittently to check on the children and prays for the entire family.
And then gets up at 4am or even earlier to start her duties all over again. A mother carries a human being in her womb for 9 months; given the inconveniences, discomforts, sacrifices, and need for carefulness, such a person deserves a reward.
You sacrifice what makes you happy just to keep another life healthy. When it is time to deliver, your life is on the line. It is a 50-50 chance for you; but being the life-giver you are, you always choose the life of a stranger over yours even if the process is not favourable to you – that is, going through either the pain of childbirth or surgery. After all that, you still carry yourself and continue life’s activities with bandages and pain; but what is even more miraculous is the smile you put on your face while facing all that pain.
All the sleepless nights she lays awake, a mother accepts a little life and nurtures him/her with love and tenderness despite not carrying them in their womb. Your selflessness and open-heartedness emanate from deep within, and extend to the young life that relies heavily on your love, guidance and protection. You are a beautiful soul, willing and ready to give a part of youself to make others feel loved and treasured.
A mother never retires from being a mom. She is usually the first person to meet each child. Even the first word that a child ever learns is what he/she learns from a mother. No matter how old her children are, she will always be there to offer that nurturing love and support as an absolute influence in every child’s life. It is crucial to note that the progress of every family, especially the kids, is largely dependent on the mother.
When you are a mother, you are never alone in your thoughts. A mother always must think twice, for herself and for her child or family. Let’s look at some important reasons why a mother is known as the most precious person and needs to be celebrated.
- No one can care like her
- No one can understand like her
- No one can help like her
- No one can advise like her
- A mother’s love is unconditional
- A mother is a person who teaches what’s right and what’s wrong
- Mothers are the backbone of any family
As seen from the Holy Scriptures; we understand, Jesus Christ from the cross of Calvary turned to His beloved disciple John, and with a dying breath charged him to care for Mary, his mother. Thus, in showing love and respect for the one who gave birth to Him, He dignified the role of all mothers and set a worthy example for every offspring.
Diane Mariechild once said: “A woman is a full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform”. Raising kids as better human beings and responsible citizens is a huge responsibility that only a mother is capable of fulfilling. God bless every mother out there; this is your honour. We celebrate your ability to raise nations!
The writer is Manager of Stanbic Bank Enterprise Direct
