The world has had millions of great, powerful leaders since its creation. Historians have compiled insightful chronicles of some of these leaders since the primitive periods, through the civilisation eras, and the past centuries. They have written about their legendary achievements and their successes, including the challenges some of them faced, and how the challenges were overcome. Even now, in our twenty-first century, at least I have ran my eyes through the list and have read about many of them, dead and alive, and about how they toiled and fought. But, after all my findings, I compared all these achievements with the heart-piercing agonies mothers go through. And I found out that, there is no leadership role on this earth that is more challenging than that of 'Motherhood'. You'll soon understand why I am making this assertion. Read on...
From conception, through the actual sustenance of the fetus, mothers go through real physical anguish and excruciating distress. In such times they are two in one -- they carry another human being. Scientists say that, whatever the fetus eats and breathes come from the carrier, and I mean the mother. The weight of the unborn baby inside her womb is enormous on her. Because of this, she would need to stay away from many enjoyable things. In situations of commotion, how would she run? During this delicate period of her life, headaches, nausea and powerful mood swings are her inevitable portion. So she embraces them, and walks painfully alone in the nine-month journey.
And then, if God sees her through safely, now comes the most blood-curdling part -- the labour! And O, how disheartening this is! This is the most critical stage, the life and death stage. For a fully grown baby to meander its way out through this tiny passage, I cannot imagine the level of pain that would be running through her heart and her veins. Think about those that God blesses with twins and triplets. Think about those that God blesses with quadruplets and even more. All these babies would necessarily need to come out of this single passage. And I cannot imagine how many times they would be commanded to PUSH. Sometimes they try to, but their strengths fail them. Sometimes some of them end up losing their lives, or their innocent babies, or both. The complicated surgical operations that are sometimes carried out on them, and the tons of blood that ooze out, is unimaginable.
After the baby is born, O, trouble! From infancy, through adolescence, to adulthood, trouble! What the baby would eat; how the mother's fingers would always be in water, washing; the sleepless nights, O, trouble! Sometimes there would be no money, no food at home, but mother knows how to feed the family. Many a time she goes to bed empty, unknown to anyone, only for the family's sake. What if her husband is dead? She would still fight on for her children. O, loving single mother! And yet, in the end, after all the selflessness and the unconditional love, some unruly children would turn their back on her, and maltreat her. Is this not pathetic? When I think of the countless women and young girls on the streets who have been rejected by the real responsible fathers of their babies to their painful fate, I feel pains in my heart for them. I have seen many of them who are really struggling to make ends meet. Alone, how can they take proper care of these innocent babies? What they will eat, what the babies will eat, their and their babies' health, what they will wear...who will provide? To all such women out there reading this piece, I say that hold your peace. God is your helper. He will take care of you and your babies. Do your best. Work hard. Take good care of them. Who knows, if tomorrow, those babies would become great pillars? Men, I talk to all of us. Please, let us be responsible. Let us not jeopardize some innocent women's future. If we are responsible, let us show due responsibility. For, nobody knows the future of these children.
This is what 'Mother' means. It means suffering. And this is why they suffer more than anyone on this earth! Therefore, they need to be rewarded. True, unfortunately, some have in one way or the other, lost their mothers. To all such, I give you my condolences. Do not cry. You will not die. God is your Father. He will take care of you. Many mothers deserve better than what their children do for them: because, many of them have suffered grave pangs in this life, just for their children's sakes. So, we need to cherish them, and honour them.
Now, it is your turn. You have a wonderful mother out there. She laid down her life for you. You must show her appreciation. I do not think we should wait till the Mothers' Day before we show some gratitude. Are mothers only mothers during Mothers' Days? Do they take care of their children only on such days? Never. They are mothers today, mothers tomorrow, and mothers every other day. Will you say something to your mother? I mean something inspiring, showing gratitude and real affection for her... It is your duty!
I love you, Mummy!
I love you, all women of the world!
I love you, all women of the world!
ISAAC ESSOUN
(By God's grace)
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