“Then the mother of the child said, ‘As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.’ So he arose and followed her.” – 2 Kings 4:30

LAST week this time we were celebrating Mother’s Day in various ways. I had lunch with my mom and aunt Corin, who has been a mother figure to many. My grandson Jaidyn created a personalised card with beautiful words from the heart. Mariska bought me a gift and I spent one hour on video chat with my younger daughter and seeing my adorable granddaughter Peyton in the frame was my biggest gift. We all have experienced mountains and valley moments along this journey called motherhood.

My mom, Claudia Noel John (in the photo with me) braided my natural hair recently and it brought back so many childhood memories. I asked her the most valuable lesson she learnt as a mom and she said “Motherhood taught responsibility. When I was left with five kids without the support of a father, I knew I had to shoulder the responsibility and make sacrifices, because I owe that to my kids.”  When I acquired the single-parent status the strength my mom exhibited helped me. She constantly put our needs ahead of hers.

No matter how old we get we always need our mothers. When my elder daughter Mariska was about to deliver her baby in Jamaica, she called me for reassurance that everything was going to be fine, even though her husband was at her side. Patience is one of the things I struggled with and it was refreshing to learn that motherhood taught a lot of mothers patience, including my younger daughter Shonta and my friend Dr Raquel Thomas-Caesar. My sister Nicola Ward said she learnt to listen more and tries not to be frustrated by the things she have no control over. I decided to ask a few women from various backgrounds and geographic locations to share their experiences with us.

“Motherhood taught me strength, how to be brave, to love unconditionally, to put another human being before myself, strengthen my faith and do many other things”-Jean Seebaran , HR Manager, Guyana.

“The most valuable lesson is that every child is different, so they learn in different ways. They love differently, go through puberty differently. They truly are their own person, even if they look like you!! And you will make mistakes as a mother/ parent… but saying sorry allows real respect to grow.
And I am not my child’s friend. I am their confidant in ALL their issues, troubles and joys, but I am the mother. Respect is earned as you show them respect.” Tascha Aveloo , Journalist , Suriname.

“Each day brings about a cycle of lessons taught and lessons learned. From mother to child and child to mother. Motherhood taught me imperfections are most times the best teachers.” Dr. Hilda Bourne, Entrepreneur, Mississippi

“Motherhood has taught me how to be kinder and more nurturing to myself. I believe the best gift I can give my children is how to be authentically humane and I can only do that by fostering emotional intelligence, which starts with me. As a mother, I’ve learnt how strong and resilient I am.” Bibi Sara Khalil , Social Worker, NY.

“As a mom of four beautiful kids, the most valuable lesson motherhood has taught me is to not dream for my kids. Let them dream and be who they aspire to be.
As parents, I think we often have ideas of thinking that our kids should be doctors or lawyers to be considered successful.
I feel we should let our kids choose their path and we should guide and support them to be whatever they desire to be.” Shameeza Ally, Financial Adviser, NY

” Kindness and being slow to react upon hearing anything bad that has been committed by your child.” Brenda Akunu , Lira City , Uganda.

“Our actions can teach our children not just how to make decisions, but how to react to stress or fear, or how to handle conflict or how to simply show love.
Being a mother is a gift, a privilege even, one I pray I never take for granted. Motherhood has taught me that if I want the best for and from my child, I should then be the best example to my child.” Dr. Safeeya Mohamed, Trinidad.

As a mother my most valuable lesson is the importance of time. Savour each day, savour each moment like it’s a delicacy, because it is. We often become occupied with life’s responsibilities and sometimes preoccupied with trying to create a better life for our children. However, no gift or opportunity you can give a child can replace the bliss of time spent and creating memories. It’s in their memories that we live on forever young. It’s in their heart with quality time spent that we create our legacy. My children have taught me the value of time, because like ice on a hot sunny day, the hands of time dissolve, never to return, seconds become minutes, and minutes become hours, hours -days and days -years. Leaving behind irreplaceable memories of times well spent.” Andrea Edwards, Entrepreneur,  Florida.

Let’s continue to be the best examples not only to our children, but the children in our communities as we celebrate this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.