Mother was so busy raising six children alone because daddy had abandoned his family. Because she worked so hard to cloth and feed her children, she had not anything left to share with them as they grew up. Food and shelter was provided along with stern discipline if you cause any trouble. This was mother and you for sure loved and respected her not knowing so much more was missing like hugs, smiles, laughter, advice and good old fashion nurturing. But as a child you do not realize it then so you grow up to be that exact mother to your children. They too starve to be nurtured.
This was the life of the Walton women in my family. Grandmother seemed to find her grandchildren to be a nuisance when they came to visit. She simply had no tolerance for children. My mom took good care of us just as her mother took care of her. It was like being raised on a farm because individuality was not a priority just order and survival was all children had. But one day, I learned though this is all we had, it was a lot when it was taken away. My brothers and I were swept away from our mother’s life for almost eight years. I missed her presence and there was not anything I could do about it.
One day when we were of age, we were free to return to our mother but by then, she was an alcoholic and lacked the ability to parent us. Our natural bond was destroyed. When she would drink, she would become violent and hurt me verbally and physically. I had to finish growing up with no motherly guidance. It was not until adulthood, my mother and I found our way back to one another. She became a beautiful nurturer and made me feel safe in the world.
Over the years, I began to notice people were gravitating towards my mother just to sit with her and talk. Often times when I would call or stop by people especially males occupied her time. Sometimes she was handing them a few dollars, providing them a decent meal, giving them clothing, towels, soap, water even a drink to soothe body aches, etc. They found hope sharing their woes with her. The numbers continue to grow. More and more people were coming to her home for various reasons. Many were from the neighborhood she lives in but others got off the buses from farther places to sit at her feet.
mother of the motherless
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