Today, 60 years ago, the Angels stood still and watched as God created (and then deposited into earth) a woman I am blessed to call my mother! While there are many events in my life that remind me of why this woman is the most remarkable and amazing person in the world, I will like to share this one:
December 2009, one of my cousins was going back to Naija with her twin boys (in their trouble 2 stage) and needed help with them. I was jobless and it was a chance to go home after 5 years FOR FREE, so I jumped on it. After hours of chasing 2 2-year old boys around JFK, Heathrow and Nnamdi Azikiwe Airports, we finally made it to Enugu.
I got home to find out that one of my suitcases were missing. (I guess in all the excitement at the airport, no one realized it wasn’t included in any of the three cars that came to pick us). We rushed back to the airport. After what seemed like an eternity, I was told it was stolen. The man at the airline office smiled and said “Welcome to Nigeria”. I wanted to “eff” him up! And I was about to do just that when my mommy grabbed my hand and said “lets go home”.
Of all the 10 million suitcases, why was it one of mine that was missing? OMG I was LIVID! When we got home, as if my mom knew I was about to take my anger out on everyone present (starting with the twin babies that were rushing towards me to welcome me back from the airport), she ordered me to go straight to her room. She was right behind me. She told me to shower and cool off. “Don’t come out until you pull yourself together!” I was quiet and stayed in her room for the rest of the day until I slept.
In the middle of the night, I woke up, did a mental inventory of the items in that suitcase and started crying. My sobs woke my mom up and she asked me what the matter was? “Mommy, uncle’s medicine was in that suitcase, along with my Bakers shoes, Ike-akpati m [my best clothes] mommy.” I cried louder. She told me to thank God for safe travels. She reminded me of the many people that didn’t have all their family members to celebrate with. That was the Christmas of numerous kidnappings. “Let’s thank God we are all okay” she said. She then told me to pray the Rosary with her. So I got on my knees and we prayed. I wept with each Hail Mary I said. Eventually, I began to calm down and afterwards I slept. The next day, although the situation still stung, I had found peace with it and started to enjoy my trip.
2 days later, we got a call from the airport that there was a suitcase there with my name on it. We went back to the airport. On the way, my mommy told me to “pray for the best but be prepare for the worst”. I did. As we were approaching the office we were instructed to go to, I “sighted” my suitcase and started dancing. I checked and everything was in tact. HOLLER!!!!! I sang, danced and I hugged everyone there. I thanked them and I thanked God. Cloud 9 had nothing on me! I grabbed my mom’s hands and danced with her out of the airport. Apparently there was a man who took my suitcase by accident and didn’t realize it until he got to his village. He wasn’t able to get it back out until early that morning. On the car ride home, my mom asked me “aren’t you happy you didn’t take out your anger on everyone? Do you think they would have called you if you were nasty to them?” I sighed and said “that’s another reason I thank God you are my mother”. I went on to have one of the best trips ever.
Mommybaby – I can write a book about our amazing stories and all lessons you have taught me these 27 years. I know I have been your most difficult child to raise. In fact, you are still raising me (hahaha) but thank you for not giving up. Thank you for being there. I have never had to look for you (and you have 5 other kids, grandkids, “attachment-kids”, siblings and SO MANY FRIENDS all over world that all depend on you). You are always happy. You give endlessly. You encourage everyone to do their best. You see hope in the “hopeless”. You believe in EVERYBODY! You live by example. You created a home that has served as a of safe haven for all who enter. And girl, you do all these things LOOKING FLY!
I love you deeply Tatavero. You taught me God and with that, you have taught me life.
HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!! May God continue to bless you with abundance in every aspect of your life for the next 60 in Jesus name, AMEN!
Love always,
Your favorite, 4th baby 😉
Photo Credit: www.mywordwizard.com
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