Thursday 9 May 2013

Celebrating the Amazon Queen


It's my mother's birthday today the 9th of may and I am so grateful to God for her life.
I call her my Amazon queen because of who she is and what she stands for. "May" as my late father would call her and  "M.T" as her siblings would call her, is a very strong willed and determined woman, who through her life stood up for what she believed in.
I remember the stories of the Biafran war she told me. Hmmm that made my respect for this woman sky rocket. Hers was so inspiring and amazing that I had to think of ways to preserve her story.
She was one of those women who were told that her husband had died during the fight in another state but refused to believe it or back down. Instead, she carried three children on her body, one flask, one wrapper and walked from the east to the mid west in the middle of the war.
Her love for her family kept her going and gave her hope that no matter what the soldiers told her she refused to accept the information they gave her so she walked and kept walking till she got to his own village from her own, in the middle of the war.

My mum has a way of making you feel that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
She worked in the bank from the time I was born till the time she retired and one thing that always got me smiling every morning was her dress sense. I don't know if I have ever said this before but I used to beg her to come to my school for very silly reasons just so that I could show her off to my school mates. I don't know how she got her own clothes but they always looked custom made. Her skirt suites and extremely classy high heeled shoes. Different colors and designs and plenty of it too. She would never wear an outfit twice.
May was too beautiful to be ignored when she walked past anyone because she was very light skinned and her hair was so looooonnnnnggggg, thick and dark (color 1). Her eyeballs were lighter than that of the average African and the way she walked with her heels was so eye catching that I would put a book on my head just to see if I could walk like her. Church and God, she never joked with regardless of what your personal beliefs or preferences were. She would let you do what you want to do but only after you have gone to church and prayed to God.


My parents were married for forty years before my dad passed and throughout their marriage she was a strong pillar of support to my dad and all of us. They understood each other so well because my dad was also a banker from the time I was born to the time he retired.
One thing we all knew was that if you want to win a battle in my family you better get my mum on your side o hmmmm if not it will not be easy. Lol!
I am grateful to God and my mother as well for who I am today.

You see, my mother was the first one to recognize my talent and made sure I was a part of all the school plays. When we travelled to her hometown, she would make me sing in front of a crowd. One of those times after singing, her own father, my late granddad called me, I think i was five years old; he said "Oby my princess, you will be my star please don't stop because I want to see you up there when you grow up". I ran to my mother and told her what he said and she smiled at me and said " he sees what I see all the time". I was so excited that when I got to school I could not wait to tell my music teacher to sign me up for the school band.
My mum and I

My Amazon Queen is my number one fan and I love her to bits.
When I have issues and can't talk to anyone, she is the first one i call. Strange as this may sound she has been my best friend through the years. I tell her things that other people will never tell their mother's but that is because she never judges nor condemns me. She speaks to me like her friend most of time and tells me where I went wrong and how I can fix it. She used to call me CC which meant constant companion. I love that name so much and I miss those times that I would stay with her and chat with her all day.

Growing up and moving on has changed a lot of things in a lot of lives because now we have responsibilities our own homes and families and work. Pphheewww! Where did the time run to?
I could go on and on with fun things to say but I can't end without saying "I love you mummy and I am so grateful for all you did for me and taught me. I know I am not perfect but you have loved and supported me through my trying times. I pray that God will keep you in good health, so that you will enjoy the fruits of your labor to the max. You have been an inspiration to me and a prayer warrior. The best mother anyone could ever ask for. Daddy is in heaven now smiling at you and saying "May thank you for keeping the family together and for keeping the fire of love burning in our home". God bless you mummy, Happy Birthday, my AMAZON QUEEN.













13 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday to the wonderful woman that gave birth to such an amazing, talented and beautiful lady.

    God bless and keep you Ma.

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  2. Happy Birthday to a true Mother, wife, sister and mentor. your foot will remain on shore of life 4 ever. sheers!

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  3. This is sooo beautiful, I lost my mom when I was 8, honestly I couldn't stop the tears from flowimg as I read this. Kudos to your mom, it's a blessing to have her and you did a beautiful thing by celebrating her like this. God bless you and your family.

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  4. Hmm so touching, ow I wish,well all I can say to dis is ur ow kids will do same and even more in ur old Age,CC may GOD bless u more and a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mummy.

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  5. Awesome piece on ur mum, Stella. I also pray dat she lives long enough to reap all the fruits of her labour and plenty more.

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  6. We celebrate your mum, may the good Lord suffice all her desires and increase the Love for her family as depicted in the narrative. Moses has told us a lot about you, how exceptional you are and your great love for God. We all are your fans by simply hearing about you.

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  7. Happy birthday to your mum! Wish her good health and many more fruitful years ahead in JESUS NAME!.......

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  8. Happy Birthday to your dearest mum,thank God she was your inspiration and your parents were blessed couple. Your childhood picture looks great you know!!!
    Above all,I thank God for your life my dear, you've been through a lot of life's challenges yet you're still vibrant in your life's pursuit. More grease to your elbow,the sky is not even your limit, be perpetually focused and you shall fly on Eagle's Wings in the end in Jesus name.

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  9. Stella your mom is a beautiful woman and it's very obvious from where you get not only your beauty but that resolute nature that I always feel I detect whenever I read an interview you grant. Funny thing, some years back I read an interview in which you told the abridged story of your parents and so some of what you mentioned about your mom, I have heard you mention before. But do you know that I have been waiting patiently for you to tell us the love story of your parents, whether by novel, film, however you choose to share it, all these years since I have read that interview. I never forgot how you spoke of her and the love they shared. I even think I still have the paper with that interview chucked somewhere. LOL I don't throw anything away unfortunately. A Happy belated birthday and mother's day to your mom and thank you for sharing a bit of you and yours.

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  10. Wao!!! i feel sweet goose pimples as i read dis, so na from ur mom u inherit dis looong hair of urs? meaning ur mom's hair is looooooooooooonger dan urs. lol
    Happy Birthday to 'THE MAIN & REAL DIVA'!!! wishing her a loooooooooonger life n good health always.
    May she live to enjoy life beautifully.
    we will all live to celebrate her 200yrs birthday!
    Kisses 4rm me 2 U

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  11. So Touching... Stella you kinda make me feel pity for your mum.
    Love her and your grandfather.
    Hope you are good my goddess?
    #Mrbatutech

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  12. Wow. Well written. She is gracing beautifully well. My regards to her.

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  13. Beautiful...happy birthday to your mum.

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