The Mother I Wanted, The Mother I Got
Posted: Saturday, May 02, 2009
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
I dreamed of a rich mother who had everything and could give me anything. I got a mother who met all my needs. I wanted an educated mother who could converse with the world. I got a mother who sold all kinds of merchandise to give me the education she never had.
I wanted a mother dressed in business
suit, who works 9 to 5 outside the home. I got a mother who took a
pay cut to raise me, who tied me to her back and took me with her
when she worked on the farm.
I wanted a mother who could give me my
own room, a mother who would not disturb my sleep throughout the
night. I got a mother who had me sleeping in the same room with her
and Dad, a mother who interrupted my sleep most mornings with her
prayers, pleading with God to give me a bright future.
I wanted a mother who was civilized, a
mother who would eat her food with silver fork and spoon from an
expensive china. I got a mother who remained proud of her African
heritage without seeing any need to defend the ways of her people, a
mother who ate with her hand and took time to enjoy her food to the
last finger lick.
I wanted a mother who would leave my
poor dad to marry a rich step dad that could afford to buy me
expensive toys. I got a mother who separated from my dad but returned
to Dad and remained faithful to him to his last day.
I wanted a mother who would not tamper
with my fragile self-esteem so I could find my own way in life. I got
a mother who showed me The Way, a mother who challenged me to find my
worth in following models of integrity and in doing what's right as
Christ sees it.
I really wanted a mother who would wash
my clothes, iron my clothes, clean my room, wash the dishes, and do
all the house work all by herself. I got a mother who treated me like
her assistant and apprentice, who modeled work ethic and showed me
how to wash and iron my own clothes, make my bed and hers, wash pots
and pans, help with daily house chores.
I wanted a mother who would understand
that I needed her to be around all the time. I got a mother who
understood that I would have to be on my own at some point in the
future, a mother who trained my wings to flop and fly without her
help, knowing that one day she could not be there for me. I wanted a
mother who would keep me with her all the time until I was of age. I
got a mother who reluctantly sent me away for school, because there
was no school in our village.
I wanted a mother who could afford to
pass an interview for visa at the American embassy, so she could take
me with her out of Liberia to America. I got a mother who laid the
foundation for me to pass the visa interview and come to America.
I wanted a mother who would say Yes to
me and give me whatever I asked for. I got a mother who told me No
many times for my own good. I really wanted a mother who could give
me $50 for lunch, $100 tennis shoes, $200 iPod, $400 iPhone, $1500
laptop computer, all things and everything I ever dreamed. But I got
a mother who sacrificed anything in order to position me to achieve
anything and purchase whatever I desire, if I'm willing to work for
it.
I wanted a mother who was so
neck-twisting charming she could win every queen contest, become Miss
Universe and grace the cover of Vogue and other hot magazines, a
mother so talented she could be voted American Idol and Britain's Got
Talent. But I got a mother whose beauty caught the eyes of Heaven,
whose talent got the attention of angels, whose life packed all the
treasures that fame and fortune can't touch.
Had I gotten the mother I wanted I
would have turned out a spoiled brat, twice unfit for life on earth
and in Heaven. Thank God I got the mother I needed, and that has made
all the difference in the world. How thankful I am that Mother didn't
need my vote to bring me to earth, and she didn't seek or take my advice on how to raise me.
Very good article Mogama, I really enjoyed reading it.Thanks, David, for reading & commenting. I'm glad you like the article. ~mogama~
Mogama,I feel like I know your life history with this tribute to your mother -- an amazing woman. You were blessed because she instilled in you what really matters in life. More people could use a mom like yours.Thank you for sharing this with us,NancyYou've touched my heart, Nancy, with those perceptive eyes of yours that were able to correctly capture the essence of my dear mother! Happy Mother's Day. ~mogama~
You were blessed to have such a wonderful mother. Thanks for sharing your memories of her.Thanks, Brianna, for your comment. They mean a lot. ~mogama~
God bless your mom my friend!Thanks, Steve. I think my mom has passed away, though there is yet no confirmation of that.
Mogama, you brought tears to my eyes! Isn't it great that God gave you who you needed. I am willing to bet it turns out that it is all you really wanted as well. Excellent tribute, my friend! Glory to God in the highest!