First Word 20

Hi!

As I ponder down memory lane, I marvel at the energy my mother had; looking after five small children, who were, by today’s standards, quite a handful. I still cannot fathom how she managed. I have two of my own, .yet sometimes they can be overwhelming.

It appears that the never ending task of finding a good house help has lasted for generations, because my mum faced the same intrigues I do today. She simply got tired of hiring helpers and took the bull by the horns, doing all household tasks by herself.

The result was sometimes amusing-even hilarious. For instance, there was one particular day when my small sister fell ill. Since all the five of us were packed in a close age bracket, none of us could be left at home alone. So she got all of us clean and off we went, our mum boarding her small ‘nursery’ into a bus! Imagine that scenario; even the conductor seemed bemused, as the stares and murmurs of the passengers made the driver join in the amazement.

But my mother was a woman of strength; she did not wince as she pursued the desires of her heart and accomplished her goals. I salute her and all the mothers out there who everyday toil and succeed, doing the world proud and displaying the truly extra-ordinary nature of a woman. Strength of a woman is what we celebrate in your favorite column ‘Been There’ with Mary Kemunto Magare, who raised thirteen children.

God’s blessings!

JoyC

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