MILDRED (DAUGHTER) MARYLINE (DAUGHTER)

What fond memories do you have of your mom as a child that brings a smile to your face when you remember?

A lot but something I will not forget is the fact that she was always there to do our school runs and it was something to look forward to. The only time she missed it was when she went to the hospital to give birth to my younger brother.

Are there certain things she did for you as a child that you have transferred to your son now?

My mom is a disciplinarian so I learnt that from her, I always tell myself that I have to try as much as possible though is not easy. I feel she is a super human to have been able to do all she did for my siblings and I. When I was a child and she always corrected me I used to wonder why she did but I know better as a mother now and I appreciate her better.

Your mom is prayerful Do you also take the same steps?

Well, we grew up in a Christian home. I got to encounter God in a different way but her seed of training me up in the ways of the Lord has really helped.

Why particular thing did your mom do to you that still resonates with you till date?

My mom is always there, she is always a phone call away. Whenever we are out of the country, she is ready to take the next available flight to be with us if necessary. She is there through our laughter and sorrow, she is always present.

What persistent role did you take from your mom now that you are a new mom?

Being present for my kids even with my busywork schedule. I always do school runs myself as that is one thing my mom always did for us far back in primary school till my university days. My mom never sent a driver to drop or pick us up. So I find my self doing same.

Do you always seek for advice from her whenever you find yourself in a tight space now that you are a mother?

live my life through my mum’s lens. I look at her and I know how to act, I particularly don’t ask so many questions but I already know what to do by looking at her steps for guidance whenever I am faced with any situation.

How have you adjusted to her role as First Lady, how has her position changed the dynamics in your lives?

Now that she’s turned 60 what loving message would you like to say to her?

I would want to say I love her so very much that she might not even understand the extent and my prayer is for her to continue to be strong in good health and she lives long enough to see her great grandchildren and continue to love God.

QUOTE

I would want to say I love her so very much that she might not even understand the extent and my prayer is for her to continue to be strong in good health and she lives long enough to see her great grandchildren and continue to love God.

How did you manage to keep the surprise plans for her birthday away from her?

We are tried and it was mostly on my younger sister Maryline because she was the planner in the house. We tried our best because it is not very easy to surprise my mom anyways.

As the First Lady, my mom is not so political so because of that, I don’t think her role as a mother changed. I think my dad changed but not my mother. She is still always there, the only difference now is that she doesn’t have as much time as when we were younger to travel with us everywhere. She still prays with us and does pretty much everything with us. Even with our kids, she still helps pick them up from school sometime when we are running late. She doesn’t keep so many people around so I won’t say we don’t have access to her. She is very guarded, her friends knew her with since I was six are still her friends till now.

Do you think that is how she was born or she learnt it over the years because of the role of your father as a politician?

I think so, she has had her own fair share of challenges in life so I think that taught her how to be guarded. I know growing up, she had some tough time even with family so because of that, she is very conscious who comes around her so it’s not just because of my dad’s position.

What loving message would you like to say to her now as she has turned 60?

Just like the Bible says ‘Your children will arise to call you blessed’. Mom you are blessed, in the days leading to your birthday all everyone thought about was how to make you happy. You have done so much for us, we have so many remarkable memories because of you, everything we are today, is gladly because of what God has used you to do in our lives and that is why we put in efforts to ensure that you had a good birthday because you deserve it all. Like I will always say to you now is the time to live your own life because you have given up most of your life just for us, we want you to be happy and we will do anything to make you proud and happy. We love you so much.

live my life through my mum’s lens. I look at her and I know how to act, I particularly don’t ask so many questions but I already know what to do by looking at her steps for guidance whenever I am faced with any situation.