My hero

She woke as early as 4:00 am daily to prepare breakfast, to fill the buckets and drums with water she catches at a nearby standpipe. She sweeps the yard and feed the chickens , then she bids us to wake up. "Early bird ketch Di most worm" she would say. 

She never appeared weary of what she does, always looked fresh at the beginning of the day and ready to take on the challenges.

"Hurry, hurry! Move up lively, don't drag your feet". These are some of the words she used to get us busy, so we could get out early for school.

She always said education is the key, and manners carry you through the world. Even though she was barely literate she knew the importance of these two concepts (education & manners).

I cannot recall been treated unfairly by her. She gave me everything she had and always said if I had more you would get, but satisfy with the little that I give you.

I never heard her complained about the work she did; she just did it. For every fruit that had a season and the tree was accessible to her; she pick to feed us and get enough to take the market to sell. She would then use that money to send us to school and buy food for the house.

I remember many times, when she wore nothing on her feet to work in the bush and coal field because the money she earned was just enough to provide for food and send us to school.

I can never repay her for such sacrifices made for me. What I have done in honour of her memory is to be the best mother I can to my own children.

Today I wish I could say to her thank you mama for all you have done.

If the spirit still lives on and you can hear me, please know that I loved you and I'm still loving you; you inspired me then with your cleanliness, hard working, forthrightness, contagious laughter, punctuality, consistency, motherly care and affection- I will always be grateful.

Mama you are my hero! 

-Angilou