The Engine of the house.

Telling stories through my lens. [Episode 1]

My paternal grandfather used to ascribe a word, phrase, or occasionally a whole sentence to humans during his lifetime. Sometimes, it can pass for a nickname. I had one too; it really captures a part of who I am. Years after his death, someone managed to find the precise name and calls me that. Since this isn't about my grandfather or me, I'll give you the gist another time but for now, I want to tell you a story about my mother, who my grandfather refers to as "the engine of the house."

My mother is regarded as such by my grandfather since she is a significant member of the entire family, not just the immediate one. My grandfather used to often comment that, although a car has many components, the engine is by far the most significant component hence the reason for the name.

For my mother, today is not just the start of a new year but also a significant occasion since the retirement age is drawing nearer than ever. Today is my mother's birthday, so I've decided to tell you stories of her through my lens.

POV: Your daughter is a baker.

Obviously, I really don't know the early days of my mother except through the stories being told. My mother is the first of many children her mother gave birth to. (Shout out to my maternal grandparents.) She is a first daughter and Olori ebi at that! One thing I'm certain of is that my mother is a hard worker, the real definition of grace. She truly inspires me, and her life stories give me hope that you can dream big, work for it, and see God make it happen.

My mother’s character is a good fit for the medical field; she is a nurse, since everyone needs a kind, amiable, and supportive individual to support them through difficult times, particularly when it comes to their health. Whenever my mother and I go somewhere and we happen to run into someone, especially one of her patients, they frequently tell everyone to thank my mother or occasionally buy stuff for me just because my mother was kind to them. I have enjoyed the grace of being my mother’s daughter a number of times. A recent example is when I was rushed to Jaja in November 2023, and the nurse on duty figured I was “Aunty’s” child, and I was treated based on my usual prescription and not otherwise.

My mother, my mother!❤

I've come to terms with the reality that my mother is a mother to a great number of people in addition to my siblings and I. Usually, my friends would refer to her as "our mummy". My parents' home is not one of those homes where people are usually afraid to come to visit because of their parents. My home is home to many. I am grateful for an accommodating family and grateful to my mother. My mother exemplifies the traditional Nigerian mother who is a friend to her children's friends. We have an annual gathering/party to celebrate the new year in my house, and it says a lot about my mother. Do you know what it means to host nearly a hundred guests annually? My mum is the kind of woman that every in-law wishes to have. It makes sense why some people believed my paternal grandfather was her father.

I have so many stories to tell about my mother that words wouldn't describe it all. Undoubtedly, my mother is a very beautiful woman; pictures don't do justice. She has very soft and fine skin. Ever looking young. Her voice? A very notable feature of hers over the years is that I have noticed people remember how her voice sounds faster than her face. She is a public speaker, btw. Her hair is so soft too; I picked a lot of things from her. If you are wondering where I got my soft skin and hair from, you can thank my mother for that.

Thank you, mother; it's an honour to call you my mother. You are a great woman, a virtuous woman, a woman who God loves. Thank you for not giving up on taking care of me. Thank you for constantly praying for us all. Thank you for every night you have had to not sleep because I had to be on a drip. I pray God will continue to keep and bless you. I love you, my woman.❤

Kindly say a prayer for my mother.🥺❤

Thank you for reading! 💜🥂

Love,

Temiloluwa.✨🦋