My mom is still alive- thank God!
I am not the perfect daughter, but I try to show and tell her how much she means to me every opportunity I get. I lost my dad when I was 13, which forced our relationship closer, as there was a wedge created by the “daddy’s little girl syndrome.” Little did I know I was secretly mommy’s little girl.
My mother has the emotional strength equivalent to the cumulative physical strength of Hercules, Superman, Batman, and Thor (all are my favourite super heroes by the way). As I grew up, and as I learn more about myself, I saw so much of my mother in me- the good, and the little things that annoy me too- isn’t that ironic?
Losing one parent during adolescence made me realize that life isn’t always a fairytale. The lessons I learnt then were that I should never take life for granted, not even my own, and that I should never hide how I truly feel about someone because I do not know if I will have another opportunity to show or tell them.
I wrote this poem in 2005, after briefly reflecting on my mother:
silver trimmings
adorn your hair
intriguing stories
latched to your pony tail
fine lines
trace your
eyes and mouth
telling only pieces of your secret
glossy brown eyes
finely polished
by years of visual art
dark ovals
shadow your eyelids
attest your lost battles
nose
barely curved
allude to your strength
your cheeks
blushed
with achievements
mahogany lips bring
life to your words
the arch of your chin
points to somewhere
your journey may take you
I only hope I will be there by your side
Have you told your mother everything you wanted to… like, I love you? Have you inadvertently realized you’ve become just like her?
Let me know your thoughts!
Here’s to a timeless WordsofNelle. You may contact me at: [email protected]
