TO ALL THE LADIES

Today is Mother's Day and I'd love to use the opportunity to tell all the wonderful women in my life just how much they mean to me.

To my wonderful-beyond-words mother: You are an amazing woman. You gave five children all the love in the world and against all the odds, too. We had a great life and we knew no lack. 
How did you do it? 
It certainly wasn't easy to be alone, was it? I'm a woman and a mother now so, I know most of those smiles happened even when your heart was breaking. You taught us that the love we had for each other was the best thing that could unify us.
You made our house a home.
When I'm exhausted and grumpy, I think I've made a lot of sacrifices but when I am sane again, I realize that I've got nothing on you. There was nothing you wouldn't, happily and selflessly, give us, as long as you could afford to. I thank God I lived in your womb and I thank God for you, today and always...
I love you, mummy. Happy Mother's Day!

Mama, I would have told you Happy Mother's Day if the clock were turned back seven years. I haven't, yet, met anyone as selfless as you were. I always tell Nwando that her great-grandma would have loved her and that is the undiluted truth. For, you knew what that word, love, meant. I remember when you'd scold me and come ask me a short while later if you could get me something to eat. You always knew I was sulking, those times, right? I always wondered how you could overlook the fact that we had just fought and reach out to me almost immediately. Now, I know why.
You had seen too much of the world.
You had become wise.
So, you knew that every second counted. You knew that time was never to be wasted.
I never told you that I loved you.
But, you knew, right? Particularly, at the end. You knew we all loved you, right?
Rest on, Mama. Happy Mother's Day.

God blessed me with one sister. He knew I'd need one.
Someone to share with.
Someone to laugh with.
Someone to encourage and be encouraged by.
Someone to annoy me and someone to annoy right back.
I love you, sis. Happy Mother's Day.

To Yennie, your faith, strength and courage blow my mind. You've made me see that out of pain, praise can flow. You got a miracle before. You WILL get another.
Happy Mother's Day, sweetie. *I'm giving you the biggest hug, ever*

You wanted a post about you.... (Vanity, vanity), my publicity-loving friend. You held my hand at a, particularly, dark period. I wanted to reach into the phone and twist your mouth some of the time, though. You were the voice of God for me at a time  I didn't want to listen to Him. Thank you for sounding 'pious' (That was unlike you, by the way). We've come a long long way, haven't we? Thank you for being a part of my adult life, too.
Happy Mother's Day.

To you, cute Jay's beautiful mama... You were there for me when I needed a hug, the most. You checked up on me everyday till I could see the sun again. You, very gently, pushed me to act better than my feelings. Yes, you did. We weren't always this close but, I'm mighty glad you're back in my life.
Happy Mother's Day.

We got to meet, for the first time, for a particular reason. But, that was not what had God put us together for. He had greater plans. You've been a mentor to me. You've encouraged me, in more ways than one; to be just who God designed me to be. You've shown me that a woman can be all that and still have a passion for The Master.
The voicenotes are amazing. Keep them coming.
Happy Mother's Day.

God gave my mother one sister for me. But, He, also, gave me twenty-nine other sisters; Beautiful, amazing women, women who love God, women, who encourage me everyday and complete my world in a whole lot of ways. It's funny that I've met only some of you but, I feel like I know most of you. I've become friends with a lot of you and I thank God for the technology that made it possible to have the gift of you. Sashes ;) good job, girl!
Happy Mother's Day, my hawt sisters.

To my sister in 'Obama land' and to the one in 'Eliza kingdom', you ladies rock!
Obama chic, daddy's girl, I met you when we were still girls. I'm glad that you are still my friend and my sister. The sun will shine soon and everything will be alright. That's for sure, girl!
Nwa Eliza, you were one of the best things in a very dreary work place. You made me laugh, a lot, while I counted the days I had left there. I guess, the little time I spent there was, partly, so I could meet you.
My sisters, my friends, Happy Mother's Day.

We've been friends for so long. We've shared a bond that time, distance and plenty distractions couldn't break. Little wonder you are my daughter's godmother. I love you, girl!
Happy Mother's Day.

To you, my very beautiful and extremely intelligent friend. I still crack up each time I remember what you said I wrote in your slum book. I caught up with you on that, that's for sure. The next time your cute son asks if I'm the one making you laugh, outrageously, while chatting, tell him you're most likely making me laugh the same way.
Happy Mother's Day!

Brick's mama... Your first Mother's Day as a mother, right? Awesome, right? You're in training to become super mummy and you've done a great job, already. Those sleepless nights you've been having are worth it! Make sure you have fun today ;)
Happy Mother's Day, dear.

To you, 'Idi Amin' (couldn't resist that); some weeks ago, you spoke words of comfort to me that let me know that my Father's arms never left me. You reminded me that I gained victory a long time ago. Thank you!
Happy Mother's Day.

Both of you are the only ones who have seen my new 'project'. You have encouraged me to go one step at a time till my work is done. I've already mentioned you before ;) but I'll say again....
Happy Mother's Day!

To my beautiful daughter; Sugar, you pray to God, already, to give you plenttttyyyy babies. Yay!!!! Lots of omugwo time for me. You tell me that they would call me 'grandma' but that you will still call me, 'mummy'. No one can EVER take that special place you have in my heart, sweetie. Not even some cute, cute, cute grandbabies (no matter how many they are).
When, you insist on wiping Ikem's nose yourself and actually, do a good job of it, I see, a little bit of, the terrific mother you will make those plenty children of yours.
I love you, my precious little girl. You are one of the best gifts I've ever received.
Happy Mother's Day, Nwando.

I didn't mention a whole lot of people. Una no vex o!
My life has been made better by a lot of amazing women. I have drawn strength from so many of you on different occasions. I am blessed to have you all in my life so, I celebrate you all today.

To you, you, you.......Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!