We salute our gallant mothers

Mothers are always considered the beginning of everything. They play critical roles in the family by not only ensuring the provision of the needs of the home but by also helping to nurture particularly children.

Mothers, therefore, bear huge responsibility in making sure that, by extension, the larger society thrives on the right solid foundation. That is the more reason we need to celebrate our mothers each day.

Yesterday was dedicated to mothers all over the world and it is only right and proper that we do not downplay the significance of the day but say a big “Ayekoo” to all mothers wherever they may be.

Our mothers, no doubt, deserve this commendation because it has been proven that they are the foundation on which the family and society grows. It is, therefore, not surprising that one of the major international days that receives great and elaborate attention is Mothers Day. And yesterday being such an occasion to celebrate mothers, our thoughts are with them.

We at the Daily Graphic join the global community to appreciate our mothers for the difficult, challenging, trying, anxious, panic and nervous moments that they go through just to put food on the table for their families, make sure the children are up early and go to school. They also make sure their husbands’ breakfast is ready on time for them to eat before going to work.

Apart from doing the cooking, they do the laundry and cleaning. They are teachers, doctors, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, masons and watchmen in the home. They are more than alarm clocks. They make sure everyone wakes up early for the day’s activities. They try to do everything they can to make sure everybody is comfortable at home.

In showing appreciation to mothers, we recall that there is no off day on their calendar. Even when they feel sick, they still carry on with the household chores.

Children tend to believe everything their mothers tell them and copy or learn what they do, so mothers’ role in grooming children cannot be over-emphasised.

Mothers Day is thus given a lot of recognition by children of all ages and professions — doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians, business executives — for their mothers.

It is even extended to generations of mothers, including grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, as well as mother figures.

The appreciation, therefore, covers all women who have played important roles in people’s lives or who have contributed to their upkeep and upbringing or provided the needed motherly love for them.

In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for all of us to ensure physical distancing and follow the protocols prescribed, the usual outdoor programmes, get-togethers, church activities, eating out and partying that characterise Mothers Day celebration could not come on.

Yet, it is our belief that we could still show love and affection to our mothers in multiple ways, including making early morning phone calls to find out how they were doing and giving them simple and affordable flowers that they can smell and appreciate, not wait till it’s too late to buy them very expensive wreaths that they cannot smell or see to appreciate.

While commending mothers for their very important roles, the paper wishes to stress that we should not lose sight of the significant contributions played by fathers too in providing the financial wherewithal for the upkeep of the home and ensuring that children are safe and secure.

As strong pillars, both mothers and fathers play complementary roles and endeavour to be role models to their families.

All said and done, the second Sunday in May every year is usually set aside to celebrate mothers and we cannot but salute our gallant mothers for the yeoman’s job they do every day.