Mothers play an important role in the lives of their children. Many young women will tell you that their mother has been an inspiration in their lives, their teachers, confidantes, best friends and worst enemies—often all at the same time.
In honour of Mother’s Day, some of Jamaica’s leading ladies spoke about their mothers and the impact they have made on their lives. But more importantly, they shared how their mothers helped to raise them and make them the women we admire and aspire towards today.
Tahnida Nunes
My mom is a dancer. So when we were younger, she would go on long world tours. I use to just live for the day that she walked through the gate after a tour. While she was away, I would miss her so badly that I would write her letters everyday and walk to the post office to mail them. She read every single one and kept them, even after she came back.
I remember getting in trouble with my mom when I was a teenager. This was the hottest water I ever got into with her. I had just started going out and I told my mom about a party at Country Side Club. Silly me for thinking that informing her about the party meant that I was permitted to go. Anyways, I planned everything and went off to have some fun. In the middle of my bliss, I heard someone whisper, “Tahnida madda deh yah.” When I looked around, there was my mom in her clothes in the middle of the party. She proceeded to drag me out through the front gate in full view of everyone.
Kerry-Ann Clarke
My mom has always been the backbone of our family. When I think about a superhero, she immediately comes to my mind. My mother has worked tirelessly, both at home and at work. She was a disciplinarian, advisor, cheerleader, mentor, and a fashionista to top it all off.
I vividly remember her waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare our lunch kits and then breakfast. After that she was off to a full day in the office, then back home to help us with homework, and after all of that, she would sometimes continue doing paperwork from the office at home.
One of my favourite childhood memories is seeing my mom getting all dressed up to go to the office —hair, make-up and the works! I guess that’s where I got the love for clothing from.
Tshani Jaja
Mommy was born and raised in Clarendon, so every holiday we would look forward to visiting Grandma and Grandpa on their farm. All five of us would pack up into her blue Lada and head out to the country to visit our grandparents. My siblings and I would go down to the pasture to pick fruits, feed the chickens, trouble the pigs and pick up eggs. Grandma would make the best “suck suck” from scratch and fry fritters, while Mommy would show us all the pictures of our relatives, whether they had migrated or passed on.
My mother always told me that I was beautiful. Unfortunately, I never started to believe it until the latter part of my teenage years. Today, I’ve learnt to embrace the uniqueness of who I am, however, that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Belinda Williams
My favourite childhood memory of my mom was the first time she helped me study for a French exam. I only found out that she had never done a foreign language before when I realised that she kept saying, ‘Pronounce it, spell it’. Nevertheless, I made the honour roll for French that year!
My mother raised five girls and in all that time, we have never heard her raise her voice in anger or disapproval. She abhors arguments and discord and encouraged us to settle issues with grace and decorum (even though I was a bad-tempered child).
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #6, 2016 Issue.
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Mothers play an important role in the lives of their children. Many young women will tell you that their mother has been an inspiration in their lives, their teachers, confidantes, best friends and worst enemies—often all at the same time.
In honour of Mother’s Day, some of Jamaica’s leading ladies spoke about their mothers and the impact they have made on their lives. But more importantly, they shared how their mothers helped to raise them and make them the women we admire and aspire towards today.
Tahnida Nunes
My mom is a dancer. So when we were younger, she would go on long world tours. I use to just live for the day that she walked through the gate after a tour. While she was away, I would miss her so badly that I would write her letters everyday and walk to the post office to mail them. She read every single one and kept them, even after she came back.
I remember getting in trouble with my mom when I was a teenager. This was the hottest water I ever got into with her. I had just started going out and I told my mom about a party at Country Side Club. Silly me for thinking that informing her about the party meant that I was permitted to go. Anyways, I planned everything and went off to have some fun. In the middle of my bliss, I heard someone whisper, “Tahnida madda deh yah.” When I looked around, there was my mom in her clothes in the middle of the party. She proceeded to drag me out through the front gate in full view of everyone.
Kerry-Ann Clarke
My mom has always been the backbone of our family. When I think about a superhero, she immediately comes to my mind. My mother has worked tirelessly, both at home and at work. She was a disciplinarian, advisor, cheerleader, mentor, and a fashionista to top it all off.
I vividly remember her waking up at the crack of dawn to prepare our lunch kits and then breakfast. After that she was off to a full day in the office, then back home to help us with homework, and after all of that, she would sometimes continue doing paperwork from the office at home.
One of my favourite childhood memories is seeing my mom getting all dressed up to go to the office —hair, make-up and the works! I guess that’s where I got the love for clothing from.
Tshani Jaja
Mommy was born and raised in Clarendon, so every holiday we would look forward to visiting Grandma and Grandpa on their farm. All five of us would pack up into her blue Lada and head out to the country to visit our grandparents. My siblings and I would go down to the pasture to pick fruits, feed the chickens, trouble the pigs and pick up eggs. Grandma would make the best “suck suck” from scratch and fry fritters, while Mommy would show us all the pictures of our relatives, whether they had migrated or passed on.
My mother always told me that I was beautiful. Unfortunately, I never started to believe it until the latter part of my teenage years. Today, I’ve learnt to embrace the uniqueness of who I am, however, that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Belinda Williams
My favourite childhood memory of my mom was the first time she helped me study for a French exam. I only found out that she had never done a foreign language before when I realised that she kept saying, ‘Pronounce it, spell it’. Nevertheless, I made the honour roll for French that year!
My mother raised five girls and in all that time, we have never heard her raise her voice in anger or disapproval. She abhors arguments and discord and encouraged us to settle issues with grace and decorum (even though I was a bad-tempered child).
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #6, 2016 Issue.
Share this post: