8 LIES GOOD MOTHER TOLD ME By Evergreen Ubochi 1. I was a girl born into a poor family. We often lacked food. Most times while eating, mother often gave me her portion of rice. While sharing her ration, she would say Eat this rice, Chi. Im not hungry. That was Mothers First Lie 2. When I was growing up, my persevering mother gave her spare time to selling petty items in a market near our house. She hoped that with the proceeds from the poor sales, she could prepare me a mini-nutritious food for my growth. She would add a few pieces of fish to the soup, which heightened my appetite. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the mangled remnant on the bone of the fish I just ate. I was touched when I saw it and innocently gave the rest of the fish in the soup to her. But she immediately refused it and said Eat this fish, Nne. I dont really like fish. That was Mothers Second Lie. 3. When I was in Junior Secondary School in FGGC Owerri, mother went on an economic enterprise in order to fund my study expenses. She started preparing and selling moi-moi and other consumables to people every early morning. It was a very petty business but it gave her some money to cover some of our needs. One night, I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awake, supported by a little candlelight and with patience, she continued wrapping one foil after another while sweating profusely. I said, Mother, sleep, its late. You still have to go for work tomorrow morning and that will be tasking for you. Mother smiled and said Go to bed, dear. Im not tired. That was Mothers Third Lie 4.On the last day of the term exams, mother asked for a leave from her newly-found menial job in order to accompany me home. While the sun blazed with fury, my strong and persevering mummy waited for me under the scorching heat of the sun for several hours. As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished, I stepped out while mother welcomed me. She poured for me a glass of cold home-made fruit juice that she had prepared. The very thick juice was soul-satisfying but my mothers love was much thicker. Seeing my mother covered with beads of sweat, I gave her my glass at once and asked her to drink too. Mother said Drink, dear. Im not thirsty. Friend, that was Mothers Fourth Lie. 5.After the death of my father due to a hypertensive emergency, my poor mother was now the confirmed breadwinner. She catered for us all alone. Living was more difficult and we were under pressure. We often relied on friends & relatives benevolence and goodwill. Seeing that our familys living condition was so pitiable, some often advised my mother to marry again. But mother - who was resilient- didnt heed their advice. She stubbornly said to my hearingI dont need love. I know that was Mothers Fifth Lie. 6. I finished from medical school, became a licensed medical doctor and went into private practice while waiting for my internship. It was time for my old mother to discontinue her stressful job. But she stuck to it with vigour. She was still dedicated to making her rounds/trips to her customers in their shops and offices every morning. I, worked in Port Harcourt and often sent her little money to supplement her efforts. I wanted her to preserve her energy and health. But she usually sent the money back to me saying U need it more than I do. I have enough money. We all know that was Mothers Sixth Lie. 7. By sheer zeal, passion and smart work, I blast the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam), became a Resident Doctor in America and later became a US-trained Ophthmologist (a Specialist Eye Surgeon). I consulted for Mayos Clinic USA and had a fat, enviable salary. I was rocking life and living my dream! I intended taking my mother to the US so that she could experience the ambience, glamour and comfort there. But my lovely mother didnt want to bother her daughter. She declined, saying Im not used to that. I dont want such high life. That was Mothers Seventh Lie. 8. On attaining old age, mother got a colon (bowel) cancer and had to be hospitalized. I travelled home, miles down and across the ocean to visit my dearest mother . She lay down weak on her bed after having a surgical operation. Mother, who looked so old and frail, was staring at me as she felt like cuddling me once again. She tried spreading a smile across her face and though it was feeble, it still radiated so much tenderness and warmth. The illness had robbed her of the usual agility & candour I knew her for. Tears streaked down my face. This was the same woman who sat and watched over me years back. I was helpless and my heart bled on seeing my mothers miserable & worsening condition. But with her reserve strength, mother said Chi, dont cry, my dear. Im not in pains. Chai! That was Mothers Eight Lie. After saying this, she closed her eyes . . . . . . forever. ¤This original work of Evergreen is purely fictional and any semblance or correlation in reality is unintentional and highly regretted¤¤
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 17:32:47 +0000
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