A Letter To My Mum

Dear Mum,

I know you're probably not going to read this, but I have to write it anyway.

I hope you're well. I just wanted to take a moment and say that I love you. You are such a sweet and caring mother, and I am so blessed to have you.

In my life, I've never met a mother as sweet and caring as you. You're always there for me when I need someone to talk to, and your advice has been invaluable in helping me navigate through life. You've taught me so much about myself and what it means to be a good person.

I've always known that you were the kindest person in the world. Your heart was so pure; you never judged anyone, even when they made mistakes or did something wrong—you just let them know that they could always come back. You never felt threatened by other people's success or happiness, because you were so confident in your own life and what mattered most to you: family and friends.

I know that sometimes we don't see eye-to-eye on things—and that's okay! We all have different opinions about certain things, but at the end of the day, we both know how much we love each other and want what's best for us both as individuals and as a family unit.

I wish there was some way I could make up for all the times over the years when I didn't appreciate everything you did for us—but there isn't, so instead let me say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I remember when I was younger—and we were still living in Lagos—you used to sing me songs as I fell asleep. You'd sing about magical creatures and faraway lands, and it always made me feel like anything was possible.

You taught me how to cook, how to clean, how to be a good person—but most importantly you taught me how to be strong. You didn't like stress or drama in your life, and so you made sure that those things weren't part of mine either. Who cared about dating boys who were less than perfect for me, you told me that I had the power within myself to make good decisions about who would come into my life and stay there for a long period. You told me that if someone wasn't treating me right then they didn't deserve a place in my life—and that if they did treat me right then they deserved everything they could get out of it (and probably more). You taught me not just how to stand up for myself when someone was hurting me or making me feel small but also how to stand up for others who were being hurt.

I'm sorry for being such a naughty daughter sometimes. I always thought you were the sweetest, most caring woman in the world—and I still do. But there are things about my childhood that you never knew. Things that made me feel like no one cared about me or understood me at some point in my life.

I never told you, but in middle school, while all my friends were out having fun at the movies and parties, I would sit at home alone with a book and try to figure everything out by myself. That's where I learned that I had an aptitude for writing—that's also when I started writing letters like this one. And it's also when your love showed through: you always sat right next to me as I wrote them and asked questions about what they said instead of just taking them away or throwing them away like other parents would have done!

Even though I've grown up now and am old enough to take care of myself, there are still times when I feel like something is missing from my life—like there's something more than just work or making money or getting by each day.

But I know that one day I'm going to find my true purpose in life with the aid of all the values you've impacted on me.

So I say thank you once again for everything.

From your last-child,

Ria.