Letter to my mother; Sarah Nzisabira

Maman,

I found it hard to write to you exactly everything I felt should be said from a daughter to her mother on this precious day. I hope the above has made my love, appreciation and sheer awe of you a bit clearer. Although I risk sounding cliché I feel it imperative that I remind you for the umpteenth time that you are my everything. I won’t dare say that I don’t know what I’d do without you because thoughts of a world in which I exist and you don’t are thoughts I’d rather not entertain.

As I sit and wonder how I could condense my emotions towards you into a page-long letter I feel there are two important themes I make very clear: gratitude and regret. Gratitude to you for always being there for me and for assuming the role of a father figure in my life and doing it perfectly – thank you for always effortlessly accomplishing the impossible and for, in short, being my superwoman. And the regret I feel is for not reminding you every day just how much you mean to me, my siblings, your grandson and the countless other lives you touch on a daily basis. I pray every day to be more like you, to envelop your stillness and unwavering joy.

I pray that God keep you for many years to come and that one day, you will coach me on how to raise children of my own the way you and my father raised me (hopefully with a better outcome).

Thank you again, for giving me the capacity to feel so much gratitude towards one person. And for showing me through your relationship with your family, friends and even strangers on the street – just how important it is to know, have and spread love.

I love you more than you can ever imagine. Happy Mothers’ day, Maman.

Your (favourite) daughter,

Sarah