MUM STORIES: My mother and mother-in-law bring joy to my life

My mother Phyllis Wanjiru is the rock and the cornerstone that keeps us all grounded; one big, happy, functional family.

Mum is the kind of woman who put her career on the back burner to raise us. She likes to say she actually got into her career.

She blossomed into a farmer, a home keeper and a housewife. Her wit and intelligence is unparalleled – she would oversee our academic work closely and encourage us to read novels.

My husband jokes that I’m in the habit of making use of tantalising and mind boggling diction; blame it on mum. She kept saying she was taught the queens language by an Englishman, and cannot stand to hear her children massacre the language.

My mum is that constant presence, the disciplinarian and the total calm in our lives; never missing any school function, or any moment in our lives.

We are all grown up now, charting our different paths and careers in life. And now I realise what a sacrifice that must have been on her part.

I could thank my mother for loving us, comforting us, encouraging us, taking us to church to ensure we grew up to be responsible adults, but what lives me in awe is how much she gave us her time. That’s everything.

BLESSED WITH TWO MOTHERS

We mushroomed into adults before her very eyes, and for that I’m eternally grateful. Time is an invaluable resource and for all the little things, the countless moments and the sacrifice to be there as we grew up; you’re my real heroine.

I met and fell in love with a dashing young prince and went on to tie the knot, and now I have two mothers.

I have heard disturbing stories about mothers-in-law and I was initially scared of what our relationship would be like. But my mother-in-law Claris Achieng proved that there are different types of people. She has a golden heart and she spares no effort or expense to ensure I feel at home.

My mum-in-law always meets us at the door when we visit, and heartily welcomes us. Her bountiful gifts of fish, groundnuts and wimbi are treasured.

My mother-in-law also has a big heart. She opened her doors, her home and most remarkably her heart to adopt a host of beautiful souls, and all have been accorded a mother's love like no other.

Her heart is so big, if you ‘pass’ by the house she might just adopt you too. And you’ll delight in her love.

“God could not be everywhere so he created mothers” says a Jewish proverb that couldn’t be any wiser.

Happy Mother’s Day Phyllis Wanjiru and Claris Achieng. Your smiles are sunshine, and you make the world a better place.

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