It is 5:00 a.m. in Wum, a small village in Cameroon’s North West Region. A young mother wakes to begin another long day.
She lights the bush lamp and steps outside to use the pit toilet behind the hut. Back inside, she quietly slips on her blouse and wrapper, making sure the children’s breakfast—fufu and vegetables left over from the previous night’s dinner—is warming over the low wood fire in the corner of the room.
Moving carefully so as not to wake the younger children, she gently shakes the oldest on the shoulder. In a soft whisper, she reminds the child to be out of bed within the hour and ready for school on time.
Without another sound, she eases herself out of the room, closes the door behind her, and hoists her woven farming basket onto her head before setting off into the early morning darkness.
Murmuring her morning prayers, chewing stick in mouth, she heads off to the farm, some 25 miles away.
She is just one of millions of mothers around the world who rise each day with quiet determination, their lives centered on nurturing and caring for their families. She will spend the rest of the day working while thinking about the well-being of those she loves. She will make sure the clothes are washed, drinking water is fetched, the house is clean, dinner is prepared, and the children receive help with their homework before she finally lies down to rest—only to begin another early morning tomorrow.
She is Mommy.
Today, as the world celebrates Mother’s Day, all of us at DUNIA pause to honor these remarkable women. We marvel at their strength, love, grace, resilience, and generosity. Though they come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, mothers everywhere share an extraordinary commitment to caring for their families and communities.
While Mother’s Day is a special occasion to celebrate and thank them, the love, sacrifice, and work of motherhood extend far beyond a single day. Their dedication is constant, and our appreciation for them should be too.
Here are six meaningful ways to show your appreciation for Mommy all year round.
1. Thank you
Let her know how much you appreciate all she does. Acknowledging her efforts (past and present) automatically bring on beaming smiles. So much can be said with just those two words. ‘Thank You’ from a child means “mom, you did a great job with me, and I appreciate you. You are wonderful. I love you. You are the best”. Don’t hold back, tell her as often as you can.
2. You are beautiful
Yes, you are! Every mother is beautiful – she carried you in her womb for 9 months, raised you, cried for you, worried about you, ran around helter-skelter for you … she sure is the most beautiful queen on the planet … not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. Compliment her constantly.
On a personal note, growing up, I always felt my mother was the most beautiful– regal, dependable and loving. Today, it is not uncommon to hear my boys saying, “mommy I love your hair”, after a manicure, “Mommy, I love your nails.” My daughter of course, keeps her eyes on my outfits, “Mommy that is cute. Did you just get it? You are so pretty!”
Every mother deserves to be showered with words that make her feel beautiful. Like a shot of ‘forever young’, these keep her feeling young and energized.
3. I’ll help around the house
“What? Do you really mean it?!”
It’s not just me … most mothers yearn for a beautiful, clean and organized home. Why? Because women are natural home makers. This explains why mothers tend to ‘kind of obsess’ about the state of their homes. Offering to help with housework like cleaning, laundry, cooking, even for one day, is a gift most mothers will happily embrace. Maybe that’ll give her a chance to stay in bed a little bit longer, put up her feet, watch TV and why not sip on some wine.
4. It’s time for a retreat
Ooooo, mother would love a few days just to herself away from the stress of work, the bustle of kids and even the arms of hubby (smile). Yes, make that possible for her. Pay for a church retreat, a seminar she’s always wanted to attend, or simply get her on a cruise to Hawaii … how about an afternoon at the spa? She’ll never forget it.
5. Here’s a little gift to show my appreciation
At the end of the day, she is young at heart, a princess who loves to receive gifts. A few of those every year – flowers, nice jewelery, clothes, shoes, handbags, a book, maybe a car … or why not a house, will keep her happy. But be careful not to overdo it, she might think you are becoming wasteful; ha!
6. Mommy, I am here for you
The last but certainly the most important – be there for her and let her know she can lean on you. You know, after so many years of giving and supporting, we tend to forget that she too needs some tender loving care. Most mothers would give up all material things in exchange for a good heart to heart conversation, special moments together and time with the kids and grand kids. Make family times frequent and give her an opportunity to bond with her grandchildren. Talk to her, listen to her and share in her worries. Let her know you will be there for her always!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Lema’s website is www.lemaabeng.com; Twitter: @LemaAbeng
