It was sometime in the afternoon on a sunny day in Yaoundé, Cameroon. I was about 10 years old (maybe younger). My mom was driving, it was just both of us in the car. I don’t think I was supposed to be holding her work papers while sitting close to a half-opened window. All I remember is seeing the papers fly outside of the window. Fortunately, we weren’t on the highway and the street wasn’t busy, so my mom stopped the car and motioned I go get them. There was a nice man who picked the papers up and handed them to me. I came back into the car with a sigh of relief all the papers were recovered. My mom started the engine and continued driving, then she asked me, “did you say Thank You to that man?” My mind was on the papers the whole time so I had not thought about that. I said, “No, I didn’t.” I don’t remember any strong reactions to noticing the papers flying out the window or even to having to stop the car so I can go pick them up, but I remember her being appalled by me not saying thank you, “You didn’t say thank you?” She didn’t need to say anything else. I felt the magnitude of my lack of gratitude and respect. That incident definitely taught me a lesson on appropriate African home training. 

The great thing about Mother’s Day is that it reminds us of our mothers. We love our mothers for all the ways they teach us by what they say and what they don’t say, for all the sacrifices they have made, and all the pleasurable times we have had together.

For all of those who find this period very difficult because they have lost their moms, dwell on the memorable and pleasurable times you have had with your mom. And for all those who long to be a mom, think of all the people to whom you have been a motherly figure.

Here is a video in honor of all mothers. Happy Mother’s Day!