STORY OF THE YEAR (If you care or was cared about your Mom, Please read this)
“My mum and I were good friends… She was my best friend. She had ONLY me and my younger sister. I lost my dad when I was 6. My mum sent me through primary till university and even paid for my masters. She sponsored my little sister too. She only had primary school education but she was clever. She was 30 years older than me but we were really close. She sold her land because of many of our bills and fees. She was the best in the world. Whenever I was sad she was sadder. She knew me inside out...
My sister later won USA lottery and left us... I and my mom became very close. On my wedding day, she was crying a lot, I was too... But when I got married I started having problems of my own and slowly I started to forget about her. Whenever she calls me, I will put up an excuse, I used to think all I needed was to send her money as my work and marital worries were stressing. She lived in Cyangugu, I live in Kigali, I ashamedly refused to bring her to Kigali because I think it would be another worry to me and that maybe my husband wouldn’t like her despite me not even asking him. I began to distance myself from her; even though I loved her loads I kept sending her money but was too busy to visit her in 2 years...
One day her neighbor phoned me saying she was ill, I talked to her and I sent money for her treatments. After some days, a doctor phoned me saying mama needs attention that she had not been taking her drugs properly and that she had been on her own for two days without care from people around her. I was upset I started asking where was auntie this? And auntie that? And because it was on Wednesday I couldn’t visit her but told the doctor to arrange care and that I would foot the bill and I promised to come over on Friday after work. I arrived Cyangugu late Friday evening I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw her. She had aged so quickly and her health was deteriorating. She was glad to see me; she held my hand and whispered I miss you. Shame enveloped me It was like I was dreaming that I had not seen her for 2 years. That alone sent some cold chill up my brain.
She narrated how much she missed me. She was weak and I started giving her all attentions I had not paid her. She asked after my two daughters, again knowing she had not seen her grand daughters for awhile too is heartbreaking. I was dumbfounded as I could not explain why I didn’t bring them along. She said it would have been nice to see them again. I left on Sunday evening coz I had to get back to work on Monday; thank God she was getting better. She was being treated at home.
As I drove home, it was guilt upon guilt all over me. I started to think about her effort that made me who I am today. Then I decided to rent a flat for her within my neighborhood, I would get her a personal doctor, and many other exciting thoughts as I drove back to Kigali. On Monday morning, I was told she had died in her
sleep... that devastated me. I cried my eyes out.
She died because she was not taking her malaria drugs properly. She was 61 years. Everything that I didn't do came rushing back and hit me like a crash of thunder in my heart. Please, never leave your parents unattended... your attention is essential; I would empty my account plus move her down to my room to have her back. Cherish and respect your mother while you have the chance.... money isn’t everything... “Care goes a long way” The most painful phrase in this world is ‘HAD I KNOWN’
I LOVE YOU MOM WITH MY WHOLE HEART” Remember: “we only have one mom. Don't deny her, start to cherish her today”.
