happy mother’s day

Somewhere along the line, perhaps almost a decade ago now, my mother and I developed a tradition.

You know how on your birthday, everyone gives you all this attention…the unending stream of wall posts on facebook…for a little more personal touch, you have an actual message in your facebook inbox or a text message on your phone: Even more rare and more involved is the email or…wait for it…a PHONECALL! Who still makes an actual phonecall?

Well, I do. On my birthday, every year, the tradition is that I call my mother to wish her a happy Sikhu’s birthday 🙂
Because, when you think about it, as eager as I was to get out into the world almost 3 decades ago, it was my mother that was suffering through the process. She pretty much did all the work. She’d been doing it for about 9months already, and it only got more challenging once I popped out.

As I read through the book, “Adventist Home,” a couple of years back, I couldn’t help but reflect on my upbringing. And remarkably, my mother did so many things right! Moreover, as I grow into womanhood and begin to experience the unique challenges that adulthood brings, I’m all the more impressed by my mother’s godly example. I’m encouraged by her strength. Motivated by her love. And I miss her so much.

So as this day that celebrates my birth commences, it is only fitting to honor the woman who labored to bring me into the world. The woman who reared me and has been most influential (outside of God) in shaping the woman I am becoming. It’s my birthday today, but really, this is the day that I celebrate my mother.

Happy mother’s day, Mama.