To My Mother … Marco

This year Mother’s Day things will be very different for me.

It was one month after Mother’s Day last year 2019 that I started planning what I should give my mother for her birthday. We had already taken my mother to Cuba for Christmas 2018 and were spending an extra two weeks with her in Jamaica as we would be heading back to Australia in January 2019. 

My mother died in June 2019 – one day before her birthday. As soon as I got the news I was on my way back to Jamaica. I could not wait to get there. On arrival in Jamaica I went immediately , to the funeral parlour and saw my mother lying there, eyes closed, motionless but with a smile on her face. She had meant the world to me.  

My mother, like all mothers with average education, was a great teacher, a doctor, a health worker, a fantastic cook, you name it she did everything for her 8 children. She was never selfless, always having a kind word for everyone, always giving to those who were less fortunate than her. And even giving to those who were more fortunate than her but trying to pull a swiftie on her.

The greatest gift my mom gave me was supporting me to pursue my dream which took me to Australia. She knew that our times together would be limited to one or two visits every other year- she coming to Australia or me going to Jamaica. However, the times we shared together will always be etched in my memory.  

She was always singing and praying to the Lord for her children, her close friends, her husband before and after he died. She even asked the Lord to bless those who wronged her. 

Everywhere I went people always said my mother was waiting for the Lord, so when he took her she smiled. She had received her goal of being with the Lord. Thus, this Mother’s Day I will sit and reminisce on you, my mother and how you lived a humble life and pray that I can emulate you, so that when I die (we all will), I will have a smile on my face as I will be ready for my Maker. Hence my message to everyone whose mother is alive I encourage you to love her and celebrate the day with her. For those who live with their mother or those who may be separated from her please remember your mum always deserves the best.

I will be celebrating this and every future Mother’s Day by reflecting on the memory of times my Mom and I had together.

By Marco Breakenridge, the honorary Consul of Jamaica in Australia

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