Footsteps To Freedom

Today was a distressing day for me. It was my first Mother’s Day without my mom. On November 22, 2021, my mother took her final breath and transitioned from Earth to Glory. My mother was 96 years old but for me, it still was not enough time. I wanted her to outlive me so I would not have to feel this pain I feel everyday since she has been gone. I remembered all the times we spent together, all the Saturdays we spent riding around to Thrift stores, Subways, and Royal Farms for chicken legs and breast. How excited she would be to see me ride up. How she could not wait upstairs in her apartment, she had to meet me in the lobby of her building and every one that walked by, she would yell, “This is my baby girl.” My mother loved stuffed animals and crabs. She loved beautiful things and fashionable clothes. She loved family. I remember so much about my mother and the one constant thing I remember was her strength!

My mother was one of the strongest women I knew. She raised seven children. She worked at a State Hospital for mentally challenged patients. She stood four feet, eleven inches. But was still the strongest woman I knew. And I was proud to call her my mother. I am sure growing up in segregation, The Great Depression, ignorance and being a woman, my mother faced obstacles and still she remained strong. That is what I remember about her the most.

I discovered over the years; I am like my mother. I have that innate strength that can only come from a blood line of strength. When I was at my lowest, I would call my mother and just hearing her voice made me want to wipe the tears from my eyes and do better. When my father died my mother remained a soldier for her children. She was a young widow but still she exuded strength.

My mother taught me the importance of an education and the importance of faith. My mother taught me always be true to myself. When I left my abusive relationship, my mother never judged me. She never said a word against me. She said “you must love yourself more than you love whatever he has to offer and if all he has to offer is what is between his legs, it is not worth it. If all he has to offer is money for rent, get two jobs and get out. If you are only staying because you have two small children, remember your momma had seven.”

When my mother became ill and had to move out of her apartment. I wanted her to move with me, but my apartment was not big enough. She died the same month I settled on my new home. I dedicate all my challenging work and accomplishments to my mother for without her strength I would not have ever succeeded in anything.

If you do not have a relationship with your mother, grandmother, stepmother, bonus mother, or any woman who has ever had strength enough to instill morals and values into you, like my mother did, apologize, ask for forgiveness, and learn to love them again. Their strength is what gets you through the tough times, even if you do not know it.