CELEBRATING MOTHERS' DAY; NOT ALL WOMEN ARE MOTHERS by Olabanji Joel

Yesterday was mothers' day and many celebrated their mothers through various means. I have lost count of the number of mothers' day that has been celebrated this year. Anyways, I key into celebrating our parents everyday. I saw many videos of childbirth yesterday and many tagged it saying "why won't you celebrate someone who has given birth to you, mothers are all in all, priceless etc. My bone of contention now is that " is mothering all about pregnancy, labour and child birth"?? If it's all about pregnancy and child birth then all women should be celebrated but can we say all women worth celebrating? My mother will say "when they call on mothers some people shouldn't even bother to show face because they are not mothers but Iya Omo". I can't stop celebrating all the real mothers out there because mothering is more than just getting pregnant and putting to bed, it encompasses all about the home. A mother is one who doesn't stand to be equal with her husband because she understand that two kings can not be in a palace, the man is the head of the family and he has to respected. A mother is one that stays up strongly to uphold her home during the windy period, she put aside the inadequacies of her husband and still gives him peace while doing all her duty as a wife. A mother is one whom despite being well learned and exposed than her husband still remains submissive and performs all her duty without disrespecting the man. A mother is one who earn more than her husband but still doesn't disrespect the man and ensure the smooth running of things in the family without those outside the family knowing. A mother is one who manages the little the man can afford and makes it look like the man has abundance, she takes it happily when given and prepares the best using the little available. A mother is one who accommodate everyone, both people from her family and that of her husband, she gives accommodation and comfort to those who comes her way even when it looks impossible, she becomes a mother to all and not just her biological children only. A mother is one who has ego, position and authority but drops it all at the front of her gate before entering her house because she knows those things if not put aside will destroy her home. She uses all in her care to build her home to an enviable height. A mother is one that give support to sustain the home at all times and encourages the children to love and care for their father always. Children mostly love their mother more thereby making it easy for mothers to easily influence the children's decision (Men are always the disciplinarian that children don't like in the family while growing up) but a mother encourages the children and consistently reaffirm the father's love. A mother is one who stays by her children to give them the best support and discipline needed in life after the demise of her husband. A mother is a mother, not just one who has given birth to a child, she might not have any biological child of her own but might be the mother of all nation through her attitude. Note: All marriages comes with challenges because it's of two people born of different parents and backgrounds coming together to become one. All successful homes are built on love, understanding, forgiveness and tolerance. (Love isn't enough). Women who stay with their husband and children despite all challenges are the real mothers because they know the impact of a home on the children, these kinds of women are to be celebrated everyday by their children and the entire universe because they help maintain balance and moral standard in the society. Using my mum, Mrs Caroline Orolugbagbe as a point of contact to all mothers of the world, I celebrate you all and pray that the lives of your children will forever experience greatness and increase. E o jeun omo pe o. Amin. Not all women are mothers for a woman will never abandon her child or children during tribulation. I am Olabanji Joel...... A Nurse, A Writer and Socialist.