A Letter To You Mom Poem by Nomthi Lusiti

I was never a perfect child but you put up with me,
You had no support, nor compensation from those who burdened you with me
But even so you never complained nor treat me differently for that.
I was in no good health when you accepted me but you took a good care of me
Going up and down the healthcares and doctors with me
Hoping and praying for my recovery.

You had your hands full of your own children and family
But never the less accepted me as one of them.
You never complained of the extra burden dumped on you
Even though you had the whole family and neighbourhood upon your shoulders
You broadened your shoulders even further caring and protecting me the best you could
Hoping and praying that I would always be by all means.

I remember how you used to make sure that I was the best at school
Whenever there was an activity, you would prepare my uniform yourself
Make sure it was at its best and not send it to the activity teacher and crew to prepare
Although most parents used to, if white it would be snow white
If pleated you would press the pleats to be entwined together like it was sewn together
Only just because, you always wanted me to look the best.

That is why I could not afford to bring home the worst results
That is why I could not afford to bring home the worst news
That is why I could not afford to take my home down with me
That is why I could not afford to rag my home with my demons
And neither could I afford to drag my to home into mud of disgrace
Because, you always gave and provided me with the best.

You would walk a distance of more than thirty kilometres to my school
Cross the rivers and dangerous valleys to the other side of town all alone
Not taking into consideration nor thinking of what lies ahead of your journey
And most of that distance I know you walked shoeless
Fearless and determined to see how your little girl was doing
And most of all, to give me what I needed the most, your love and support.

I wish you were still around to see me now, how strong and independent I became
I wish you were still alive so we take a trip of your choice together
I wish you were still here just to stay with me for another decade and see how I do
I wish you were still with us so I could give those feet that walked so unwarily
And repeatedly to see how I am doing at school
The massage they never had but deserved.

But most of all I wish I can tell you in person how grateful I am
To have had the honour of being brought up by so much a caring mother.
Sacrificing your own happiness for other people especially when it came to your kids
Was just your second nature as you did it as if it was not costing a thing to you
You were the richest of all as you had things that matter the most in people’s lives,
Love, care, kindness and support to all those around you and that is why
I love you so much mom...and miss you so dearly.