ME AND MY MOTHER

My mother and I are very close. We see each other almost daily since we stay in the same complex. As a daughter I grew up witnessing my mother’s sadness, loneliness, and struggles raising us. My father worked out of town most weeks, and he had no clue how we were raised. All the school drop-offs, illnesses, good days, bad days, homework, etc. My mother had to do it all on her own, with a bit of support from her parents. Her role as a homemaker was very underrated by Dad.  My father’s financial support was there to pay for the groceries and school fees. But I give the credit to my mom. Me and my brother are who we are because of her sacrifices. Her marriage was not an easy journey. 

I chose to be a career woman. I wanted control and financial independence. I wanted to feel that I do not stay in an unhappy partnership because I have nowhere to go, or I will die of starvation. I just love to get up and go out and explore something new every day and have a legacy other than being a homemaker. 

My parent’s marriage did not work in the end and my dad filed for divorce after over 30 years of marriage. Trust me it was not easy for me and my brother as adults. I overreacted to it very harshly and did not talk to Dad for about 4 years. I had two options, the first was to send mom back home to granny and uncle or to support her fully in South Africa. She has been here since 2006 but she needs support in a lot of things. 

I often find my husband being frustrated at me for the extra financial support me and my brother provide for Mom. I am a Middle Eastern girl and we often have this duty to do what we can to support our parents. Having a husband, a baby, and a full-time job has been an extreme challenge, but I try to make time for mom, to see her, have a nice cup of tea, and have some outings to make her life more exciting and stimulating. 

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