Sometimes when I think about how life is unfair to me, I quickly remind myself that it hasn’t been fair to anyone either and whenever it takes something away from you, it compensates you with something but sometimes we are too bitter about what was taken and we turn blind eyes towards what it was replaced with.
Talking about the most valuable person in my brings lots of memories that make me emotional and regardless of whatever unpleasant things life has brought my way, I still wouldn't hold any grudges against it because throughout those unpleasant times, it gave me someone who stood by me.
I wouldn't hesitate to use great words to describe my mother aside from being the most valuable person in my life because nothing stands above her except God. Ordinarily, a lot of people would choose their mom as the most valuable person because of the mother and child bond but mine is different because it doesn't end with just the bond.
She took up two roles in my life when I was five, she became a mother and a father to me. It is not easy being a mother and adding the role of a father to it makes the burden very tough for her but she never allowed it to break her.
I asked why she didn't remarry to ease her burden, she said that she couldn't share the love she has for her kids with any man.
She sacrificed everything including her career for her children's sake. She taught me everything I am today, she trained me the way even most men wouldn't do; she taught me to be a real man.
As loving as she is, she is also a disciplinary officer who wouldn't condone any form of shit regardless of who you are to her. She wouldn't hesitate to scold me when I am wrong and defend me when I am right.
One of those memories.
In 2018, I got a job but my clothes were old. I told her about my challenges and, she withdrew her savings to get me clothes. We weren't staying together so she told me to meet her at a popular market in Oshodi, it was on a Sunday.
We met and she handed the bag to me, I haven't seen her for months so I insisted that we sat and discussed. I opened the bag and found new clothes, I couldn't hold back tears. She held my head to her chest and said, I didn't raise you to be weak. Stop crying, as long as I am alive you will never lack and I pray that God bless the work of your hands so that you will take care of me too".
I cried lot, I didn't want to leave her side because I was ashamed but she encouraged me.
Today I am doing my best to take care of her even though I know I can't repay all her sacrifices.