A virtuous woman *edited*

Words fail to describe the beauty of the one I call mama. A woman who has fought for me and loved me through my most shameful and hateful days. Through wounded knees and broken hearts. Through ups and downs and merry go rounds. Memories of my childhood burst into my mind at random occasions demanding my celebration of this very special woman. Like when she would console me about a bad grade or help me see the good in a nasty person. She has taught me so much truth and corrected me with love so sweet but oh so tough. Like her loving heart, her her hands have always been open to give me all I need and have the courage to ask for. She certainly withholds no good thing from me and my siblings. This is not to say that we are spoilt. On the contrary, growing up we had the strictest dad on the block.

He disciplined us regularly and even beyond what was necessary. Often my mother would fight to protect us. To shield us from our father’s violent rage. She took many blows and cried many tears trying to defend us, especially when I was but a child. Many times I watched her inner turmoil during confrontations with my father. The desire to leave her suffering battled with her desire to secure our futures. Back then she would often tell me that she couldn't leave the marriage because of us. She bore the pain and shame so we could have a good life. Inspite of the demands of being married to a some what eccentric man she always found a way to show up for us during our younger years. She would make herself available for occasions, birthdays, meals and more. Simply put, anything that was special to us was special to her.

Three years ago, tragedy struck and she lost her precious, albeit imperfect, husband to the cruel hands of death. It broke her. She wept in the bathroom when she taught no one would see. It was crushing to see her broken heart. She would encourage us and love us during the day and weep at night. So deep was her grief that I often feared for her life. Oh but she healed. With her faith in God and a determination to be the best role model for me and my three siblings she rose. The words of Andra Day in her song Rise up perfectly reflected her state at the time. And oh did she rise. Not only did she rise but she continued to inspire and teach the women ministry she had led before the loss. She also started a new business, her dream project, she bought new property, she redefined herself. She rose. She became even stronger. More authentic. She spread her wings and the sweet perfume of her rise spread all over inspiring the widows, guiding the youth, loving the world and of course inspiring her children.

She is a beacon of light. Truly one of a kind. 'Tis hard to find a woman like her these day. One so determined to love that she risked her very life to do it. One who fought to be there for me through marital abuse and unfulfilled dreams. One always so quick to support my dreams and to do her part to make them happen. Truly she has inspired me to never be afraid to dream big. To be exceptional. To be all that I was made to be. To work hard. To always be grateful. Now as I write this I will soon turn 25. It has been over 24 years of being this amazing woman’s daughter. So no one else could be more fitting for the subject of this challenge. In every way she truly is a virtuous woman.