The best memory with mom

In many ways everyone has their best moments with something unique to them but if a contest like this one or a debate is to be set between using your best moment with something unique other than your mum and another to be your best moment with their mum. Trust me, best moment with mum will always win. In many ways I have praise my mum but @lirvic has provide me with a more expose platform to do so once again in the most outstanding platform called @Steemit. I am grateful for this @lirvic 🙏🙏🙏

I have many many many beautiful memories with my mom and to be truthful, I am lost in which one to use in my entry for this contest. Well, to narrow things down, I will pick on the one I always smile at each moment I remember trying to paint her gold from my little success after She sold her gold to make me shine. Rolling out the story, stay tight and please, be proud of your mothers because they are the best. I'm feeling emotional already 🥹 it might be unnecessary for your reading but please permit me. I just want to say, "I LOVE YOU MOM"❤️

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It was a hot, damp and mosture Wednesday afternoon in Uyo my residential town where I attended my secondary school and current institution I am studying a program reside. Has I recalled, the air of that day was thick with tension has WAEC registration had just closed at my school and I still hadn't paid a kobo to be among students who will partake in the exam afterward. I was sixteen, carrying my schoolbag with more anxiety than books and you should imagine that, so fearful of the call that would come from the principal’s office.

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“If your school fees and exam registration are not settled by tomorrow, you will not sit for your exams.” This was the words of my principal. From his presence, I sweat home.

I already knew what it would be. As I walked home, my eyes stung not from my sweat, but from helplessness. My father Dr Archibong Isuo, who is a businessman who spent most of his time chasing contracts, had taken on fewer jobs due to health issues. My mum’s small trading business(Supermarket) had slowed down. The house was quiet when I got in. My younger siblings were playing outside, unaware of the pressure hovering like a storm cloud above our roof and the very one in my eye.

From afar my mom sees me coming home then she called me has I was in my room. She had seated on her bed, holding something tightly wrapped in a black scarf. I could see she had been crying, though she wiped her face quickly when I walked in. Its much nicer I am typing this cause I might be crying visualizing that moment. And if you are guessing if I really don't get emotional typing, I will say, you are damn right cause I have tears in my eye right now.

Back on the story, mom didn’t say much. She handed me the scarf and told me to take it to a woman named Mama Nkechi at the junction and collect whatever money she offered. By the mentioned of Mama Nkechi I knew what it was because she is a jewelry trader.

“It won’t be everything, but it will be enough for your WAEC,” she said.

I opened the scarf carefully and froze. Inside was the gold necklace and earrings my father had bought her on their tenth anniversary. She hadn’t worn them in months, but everyone in the family knew what they meant to her. They were not just jewelry, those were memories of her to her dear husband.

A symbol of the love story she always spoke about with sparkles in her eyes.

“Mummy, you can’t sell this,” I whispered, my throat dry.
My mom then smiled with that strength only mothers have, the kind that hides pain so children won’t feel it.

“Your exam is worth more than gold, my son,” she said. “Jewelry I can replace. Your future, I cannot.” And when I couldn't stop her anymore, I broke down in tears and all that was left for the moment was a hug from my mum.

I walked to Mama Nkechi’s shop with a heavy heart. When I handed her the scarf, she looked inside and paused.

“Are you sure your mum wants to sell this?”

I nodded. She gave me certain amount of money though it was voluminous I don't know the amount for sure because I had to take everything back to my mum and I believe the money was just enough for my exam.

I held the cash like it was a treasure, but my heart ached all the way home.

The day I had registered for my exams, that evening my mum was in the kitchen preparing dinner. No speeches, drama just a mother doing what mothers do best giving silently and loving loudly.

Anyone tertiary student who study a program in Nigeria University will testify that it isn't easy due to her academy structure. But my mum prayers followed me like a shadow and I am doing great. During my third year, something incredible happened. I participated in a competition organized by the State Government which was based on an academic innovation contest I had poured my heart into.

When the results came in, I won.

Surprisingly, I didn’t just win; I received a cash prize that felt like a miracle. The very first thing I did wasn't buy a phone or throw a party. I went to a boutique. I bought my beautiful mum a full set of clothes, classy wrappers, lace blouses and elegant shoes. Then I went to a jewelry store and mostly wish for, if Mama Nkechi had kept those jewelry.

I purchased a gold necklace, earrings and a bracelet, not just any kind, but the exact style she once gave up for me.

I wrapped them carefully and waited until she returned home one Saturday evening. I then present those gift for her. She was curious to know what was inside so she opened the package slowly and when she saw it, she gasped.

“My son, what’s all this?” she asked, her voice already cracking with emotion.

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“You should have saved this money...”
I smiled and held her hand.

“Mum, you once buried your gold for me to shine. Now I stand a chance. Please, let me adorn you in gold so you shine as the warrior you are. Together we are winning this war and always remember "I LOVE YOU"

“Please stay for me… because there is an empire I need to show you in future coming”

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She cried and I held her tight. I mean it was time for me to give her that hug too. I hugged her tight until she felt relief of crying and bless me though I cried silently but I am now growing up as a man. So, I don't need to show her that weakness. But atleast the tears now is not for lacking but of joy and this were the tears of two soldiers, one who fought in silence and the other who rose because of her sacrifice.

Every time she wears that jewelry, she shines not just in gold, but in the glory of what love, pain, and persistence can build.

And I? I shine because she lit the fire in me when circumstances tried to put it out.

Thanks for reading

I invite on @ruthjoe @nsijoro @ngoenyi to participate in the contest.