This One's For the Mothers
Mom. Madre. Maman. Iya. Mother. The one who brought you into this world. The one who kissed your booboos and made sure you had something to eat growing up. Today is all about the women who raised us and showing appreciation for all that they have done. So in honor of Mother's Day, this post is dedicated to my mom.
Adenike "Nike" Ogunrinde of House Ogunleye. First of Her Name. Yeye of Oba-Ile. Maker of Jollof Rice and Mother of the Three T's. But I just call her Mommy. I could spend all day praising my mom for all the things she has done for my family. Instead, I'm going to honor my mom by sharing the five most important things I've learned from her.
1. Be a Boss, But Make it Fashion
My mother is the CEO of her own company. She built it from the ground up. Not only that, she worked at a demanding 9-5 while simultaneously trying to build something of her own. And she looked good while doing it. In a world where women are seen as "unserious" when choosing to wear dresses and pink heels instead of a navy power suit, my mom showed me that you can do both. You can be the boss, command respect and still embrace being ultra feminine without feeling like you have to compromise yourself.
2. Nothing Worth Having in Life Will Come Easy. Persist Anyway
When my mom decided she wanted to start an assisted living home, many people said she would never be able to do it. It was the source of many tense conversations in our household. There were so many times when the more comfortable thing to do would be just to give up. And yet in spite of that, she pushed on anyway. Now, not only is the company thriving but she's been able to build a brand new facility. That wouldn't be possible if she ran at the first sign of difficulty.
3. There is Power in Being Kind
We often tell kids, "Treat others how you would like to be treated." My mom is the epitome of this. She is very kind and so so giving. In spite of some trying to take advantage of that kindness, she still continues to give to others. Not because she wants to get something out of it or because she' s expecting anything in return. She does it because it's the right thing to do. We could all do with a little bit of kindness to others.
4. Bless the Woman Who Has Her Own
By all accounts, Nigeria is pretty conservative when it comes to traditional gender roles. Many women are encouraged to go from their "father's house" to their "husband's house" and be the primary caretaker in the home. It was expected that in "exchange" for taking care of the children and the domestic duties, the husband would provide. And even though you would be married, it would still be his money. To combat that, when my mom came to this country she made sure to not only get a Bachelor's Degree but a Master's as well. She built businesses and bought properties with her own funds. She always impressed upon my sister and me the importance of getting an education, a career and being able to provide for yourself.
5. In All Things, Hold on to Your Faith
All of these lessons are important, and I keep them in mind every day. But I think the most valuable lesson my mother has taught me is to hold on to my faith. When things get hard, pray. When things are going well, pray and give thanks. We have been through some ups and downs in our family. Through it all, my Mother has always staunchly held on to her beliefs. I have personally seen how her faith can move mountains. It inspires me to do the same.
In my 26 years of living, I've learned a lot from my mom. Though I may not always understand it, I know my mother teaches these things because they're instrumental in her own growth. If I can become half the woman my mom is, I think I'll have done alright for myself.
So here's to you, Mommy. Thank you for the lessons learned and the lessons to come. May you continue to be blessed and may you continue to reap the fruit of your labors. I love you. Always. Happy Mother's Day.