I woke up this morning and logged in to work. Cleaned out the truck of the first batch of items from her dorm that were in my truck since Sunday. I ignored Keith's offer of help and simply replied I got it. I didn't get it until this morning. Saying to myself, girl you dumb. I made my way to Orangeburg, and to my baby. Her roommate had left. The chaos was on the right side of the room. I took a few bites of my sandwich that I stopped to get. I was hungry, but when I talked to Kailee, she mentioned that she didn't eat. Somehow, my hunger was irrelevant. My determination was to make sure, my daughter ate to be prepared for her final at 3:30 pm. I started packing the truck, taking the heaviest, bulkiest items first. As we were almost done, she got an email from her instructor stating that she could take the final early. I kicked it into overtime. We were done within 15 minutes and I reassured her to take her time with her final, I was going to sit in the truck or peruse the big City of Orangeburg as she took her final.
I met a mother who was walking around campus with her baby in his cap and gown. My congratulatory words to both mother and child were highly reciprocated with words of thanks and that "my baby did it look." I spoke with another mother in which I could see the frustration on her face. Sis told me that she lived in Spartanburg. She works overnight. She worked a 10-hour last night and got off at 2 am. She took a nap, dropped the other children off, and headed her. She said she had to go to work tonight. Which entailed driving back to Spartanburg. Her frustration was that she had to go to work tonight and her daughter still hadn't packed everything and her space was almost gone in her SUV. The plan was to toss what couldn't fit. We chatted and encouraged each other. I met her there, but I left her there. I pray traveling mercies for my sister and a smooth night at work.
I saw a lot of Mamas today, only a few dads. They were driving the vehicles, hauling stuff out, etc..etc..
It made me think of the responsibilities that we have as mothers. From a single mother's perspective, it's rarely a time you can say no-- because we are all our children have in our minds. This mentality is usually that of protection. Not knowing what would hurt more; our, "No" or the disconnected parent's "No." The fact that we do what we have to when we have is often overshadowed by why we do it. The strength of a woman is often the "presumption" that we have to be strong, we must display perseverance and we must go on.
As we embark upon the Mother's Day Holiday, take a day ladies to celebrate your excellence, your uniqueness--celebrate you. Being a mother doesn't equate to giving birth physically, it's the mentality of caring for a child that isn't yours. Providing that motherly instinct when needed. The truth of the matter is I was a "mother" well before the day the doctors cut me on or about 1 pm on that Saturday, November 16, 2002. All those kids, I babysat, changed their diapers, and picked them up from school-- I may have been labeled "Auntie" but it added to my Mom resume.
Ladies, this is a note of appreciation, love, and unity for you. I know how it is. And by "it is" we can write an entire book series with several spinoffs. Hey Mama...hold your head up high. Take a deep breath and know that you got this. I know you are tired at times, frustrated, and torn between empathy and sympathy for the world. I wish you an early Happy Mother's Day. To those who are mourning your Mother, know that her greatness will remain an everlasting memory to you. She may not be here physically, but will always be with you spiritually. In fact, you see a new piece of her each day in you. I wrote this while I was in Orangeburg today and I am just now posting.
#agirlworthfightingfor
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#HappyMuddahsDay
https://www.agirlworthfightingfor.com/2022/05/we-do-what-we-have-to-when-we-have-to.html
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