Mothers day

Mich probably had the most fun on mothers day. He got to give both his mother and grandmother gifts.

He signed a card for grandma and when the time was right I signaled him to bring it out. He run out of the room shouting "happy grand mothers day!". Instead of giving grand ma the card, opened it and attempted to read what he had written, obviously it was more out of memory than anything else.

Then he went to get my present, he run out shouting "happy mothers day mummy!". Earlier in the week he told me how he had made me a wonderful present for me. He told me I would really like it because he had clearly put a lot of time into making it. I got to see it on Sunday and in a few words it was awesome!
A CD with colorful papers attached with glue, looked like flowers with different colors.


After giving out the presents, he gave us a coy look and asked "what about me?" like suddenly he had realised "hey! enough with giving out presents, I should be in on this".

The joy of a little boy running around excited to give out presents, makes being a mother worth the while.

SWEET MOTHER

Sweet mother I no go forget you
for the suffer wey you suffer for me.

Sweet mother I no go forget you
for the suffer wey you suffer for me.

When I dey cry, my mother go carry me--she go say,
my pikin wetin you dey cry ye, ye,
stop stop, stop stop make you no cry again oh."

When I won sleep, my mother go pet me,
she go lie me well well for bed,
she cover me cloth, sing me to sleep,
"sleep sleep my pikin oh."

When I dey hungry, my mother go run up and down.
she go find me something when I go chop oh.

Sweet mother I no go forget you for the suffer wey you suffer for me

When I dey sick, my mother go cry, cry, cry,
she go say instead when I go die make she die.
O, she go beg God, "God help me, God help, my pikin oh."

If I no sleep, my mother no go sleep,
if I no chop, my mother no go chop, she no dey tire oh.

Sweet mother I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffer for me.

You fit get another wife, you fit get another husband,
but you fit get another mother? No!

And if I forget you, therefore I forget my life and the air I breathe.
And then on to you men, forget, verily, forget your mother,
for if you forget your mother you've lost your life.

By Prince Nico Mbarga 1976

This song is most specially dedicated to my mom. I remember her nodding her head and singing every time she heard it being played on the radio. It seemed to carry so much meaning for her back then but I didn't know much and why except that it had a very catchy tune. Now, after having three kids of my own I know. And what makes this song extra special is the fact that Mr. Nico wrote it in the year I was born. I totally identify with the experience because I know mummy suffered some of these things for me and I for Mich.

It's official

I can officially say school is done. It's over, finished, ca put... well at least for now.

Sam did his final exam yesterday and he closed it off in style, I understand it was the hardest exam in the entire two year program.


We spent some time reviewing our experiences over the past two years. Even though it was exciting to walk out of the final exam, the thought that it's all over carried with it some nostalgic emotions. No more school, friends that have grown dear over the past two years are going to scatter to all corners of the globe. For some it's probably the last time they will see each other.

But on the actual purpose that brought him to Philly, Sam was content to say that he had successfully learned and experienced it fully.

Where as his experience was majorly academic, mine has been spiritual.
Living in Philly/America has been absolutely about getting a "God centred education", I couldn't define it better. Leaving a perfectly good job with the World Bank, transitioning into a full time stay home mom, losing two children, losing my identity, living within a strange culture, being out of touch with friends back home - essentially being striped of everything and in that chaos finding Jesus.

The big lesson has been - my life is not about me, it's all about God and what He wants to do in and through me. It has been a time to adjust priorities and realise that what really matters is me fulfilling God's purpose as opposed to God fulfilling mine. It sounds kind of weird but in surrendering and letting God have His way I find that my desires and needs are met. Many times not as I was expecting but exceedingly abundantly above, I just didn't know it until I took the time to actually look at the details.

Kind of like the potter and the clay, the black smith and the ore.

Spring is still springing.

These are bleeding hearts, I honestly think they look like earrings.

Lasts

Yesterday was Sam's last day of class.
This evening I attended my last 2nd year partners' dinner.

There are a few more "lasts" to come, I will update you as we go along.

IT WAS RIGHT HERE - PHILADELPHIA

The first time I saw you, oh you looked so run down
And I had a feeling we'd never get a long
Philly, you came along and didn't impress me at all
Now our lives are intertwined but it won't be for long
When I go it's you that I'll miss
A place like this grows on you oh oh oh

Okay enough with stealing Lionel Richie's words. I 'll make up my own.

IT WAS RIGHT HERE - PHILADELPHIA


They say that you are the city of brotherly love, I don't know

When I first looked at you, it was clear to me that you had been through some pretty tough times
From your worn out buildings and crowded streets, I could tell you had seen better days

Your people - Aisha, Lakisha, Tanisha, Malcolm and little Sasha running around in the playground, mama keeping a close eye and belting out in her stern don't-make-me-come-there kind of voice if any of them strayed too far
Michael and Susan holding hands as they run to school while dad folds up the stroller and mom parks the car
Students every where, college students, graduate students, doctorate students, in University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University all coming from near and far
The Italian who owns the most visited pizza joint, Ling's Chinese restaurant up the road and the Ethiopian restaurant a few blocks away
Coffee shops at almost every corner- "Star bucks", "Bucks county coffee", "The green line" never empty having dogs of all shapes and sizes tied to a poll outside while their masters catch up with friends, do some reading or just sip on their daily cup of coffee
The crazy man who is almost always drunk, talking real loud and known to stand in the middle of the road, daring on coming traffic
Sandals, tank tops, shorts, mini skirts, and rowdy beer parties
Boots, Jackets, Umbrellas, hoods, raincoats, and rowdy beer parties
All these things characterise you

Your chilly winters, cool yellowing autumn, blazing hot summers, soaking wet spring
That's the Philly I know.

It's amazing to think that even though you look worn out, you are America's birth place.
It was right here that the declaration of independence was signed in 1777.
It was right here that the American flag was designed
It was right here that the first almanac was printed in 1685
It was right here that the first brick house was erected in 1682
It was right here that Rocky was filmed
It was right here that Will Smith was born and raised
It was right here ...

Wrapping up

It's almost time to say bye to good ol' Philly.
In about two weeks, Sam will be through with Wharton, then comes graduation and what do you know? it will be over.

We'll soon be saying farewell to the Philly that I have grown to love, with it's run down buildings and unique people... I feel a poem coming on