Dear Mama
Open letters to my
Mother and my God Mother
B y: K a t h y G a i n e s- S t i l l C e r t i f i e d T r a n s f o r m a t i o n a l L i f e C o a c h
Mama, what a beautiful name. I have the honor of being called that by two wonderful children, and I had the immense pleasure of calling two women Mama.
For the first five years of my life, my mother, Mama Elease, lived with her sister, Mama OllieMae, and her husband, Daddy Joe. I thought it was normal to have two mothers and a father. When my mother moved out to raise her five children alone, my life changed, being a single mother, raising 5 children in the 60’ s could not have been easy for my mother and yet I lacked for nothing and always felt loved.
Dear Mama Elease,
You know how much I love you, but you may not know how deeply I admire you. We never lacked the important things in life, and I didn’ t realize we were poor until I went away to college.
Every time the ice cream truck came around, we got ice cream. I never missed a school field trip, we took yearly trips to the York State Fair, and there was even a bonus trip to Disney World. You made sacrifices I didn’ t recognize; wearing the same winter coat for seven years after losing 50 pounds, making your own clothes while dressing us in the best bought from the store. Leading by example, you taught us the value of God and family and made sure Church was a regular part of our lives. You bought us expensive World Book encyclopedias because you wanted us well-educated. Though no one you knew had ever graduated from college, you believed in us, and your three daughters made you proud by attending great universities.
Mama your smile lit up the world, and your love extended beyond our family. Our home was always open, creating deep bonds among our cousins, who feel more like siblings. You were“ Auna’ Leas” to nieces, nephews, and even their children. Many lived with us at some point, you even opening your home to a friend going through hard times. Your heart was boundless, and you made everyone feel special. The words spoken about you at your Homegoing service were a testament to the impact you had.
Mama, I miss your talks, hugs, smile, and of course, your cooking. You embodied the Proverbs 31 woman; strong, wise, and virtuous. You led with integrity, worked diligently, and cared deeply. Your kindness, generosity, and faith blessed everyone around you.
Not a day goes by that I don’ t think of you. Thank you for your example. Because of who you were and the lesson you taught me, I was able to raise loving, intelligent, and giving children. I am forever grateful, and I love you so very much.
Dear Mama OllieMae,
I love and miss you. Thank you for loving me as if I were your own. You not only welcomed me into your immediate family but also supported my mother. You let us live with you for five years and continued to help by buying me clothes and toys. You took me on your family trip to Canada( my first time out of the country when I was just in grade school). You took me on countless rides to South Carolina and you allowed me to spent weekends and summers with you. You showed up for my plays, concerts, and every graduation, even my out-of-state college graduation.
You gave me a Daddy I love immensely and an extra brother, sister, and nephew. You were such a huge part of my life that I can’ t imagine what it would have been like without you. I was beyond blessed to have two mothers, and I am especially grateful that one of them was you.
Our Family moto Love & Unity
Colossians 3:14( NIV)“ And over all these virtues put love, which binds them all together in prefect unity”
11