…a brief glance…

Sonia Napiza

9th October 1943 – 11th December 2006

I am the youngest of Sonia’s children, and I am admittedly Mommy’s girl. From the time I was born to the day she died, and probably the rest of my life.

My Mom is the person that has played the biggest significance in making me who I am. If there is one thing that stands out the most about my Mom, it is her strength. My Mom is the strongest person I know, and it is through her strength, that we, her children, her family, and her friends draw from. No matter what the circumstance, my Mother faced it like a soldier, head on.

My Mom taught us the importance of family, and how above all else, sticking together is what was going to get us through the toughest of storms, and we have been challenged with quite a few storms. From as far as I can remember, there was the four of us. My Mom, my brother, my sister, and myself, beginning to the end of each storm we survived it somehow, together.

It’s easy to take for granted a Mom who’s always there, a Mom who selflessly gave to her children, who answered each request before it was even asked…when I was in London, money would mysteriously appear in my bank account during the times when I needed them most, without asking.

On Christmas’ and Birthdays that I was absent for, there was always a care package full of goodies from home that she knew would tide me over in my homesickness. When I had decided to go to London, she was supportive, when I arrived there and I was immediately homesick, she was on the phone with me every day till I was okay. She told me that she was proud of me that I had taken such a brave step, that she believed that I could do it, that I was strong. What she never realized was that that strength came from her. I knew how hard it was for her to have to sit with me every day as I cried, but she was willing to release me because she knew it was something that I had always wanted to do, and needed to do.

My Mother showed her love by the things that she did for people. From cooking our favourite meals, to buying what she knew we liked, to changing our sheets if we’ve been too busy to do it ourselves. To her friends she offered nothing less that her full attention. My Mom’s thoughtfulness and care for her friends is one that is admirable. Once you are my Mother’s friend, you’re her friend for life. Most of you who sit before me know this first hand.

My Mom was blessed with a servants heart. She approached each circumstance with the heart attitude of a servant. She served us as our Mother, available for every thing we could need and so much more, she serves my Grandmother in taking care of her, she is a faithful sister and loving cousin, and equally important to all those points, my Mother is an amazing friend. She is there for her friends wholeheartedly. In all of my growing up, I have watched the strong friendships that she was embraced by and admired the strong bonds she shared with those she considered her best friends. I realize now that such friendships were formed with time and endurance, such friendships should never be taken for granted, or lightly. For these friendships, were for a lifetime.

There are so many lessons that my Mom has instilled upon us, and to list them all would not even begin to do her justice, for she was far more than her deeds. My mother’s laugh was contagious, especially when she was in a silly mood. She came up with unexpected on liner’s that often surprised but amused us. My mother was known for her blooper moments, and I will miss that. I will miss coming home and she will be in the kitchen preparing dinner or cutting up fruit, and she’d share a funny moment with me. The four of us often had our private jokes, the topic almost always the same, and it was ours.

My mother was far from perfect, and we are no where near the perfect children she deserved, but we are all what each other had and we made the best of that. Our mother loved us enough that it was more than okay that all we had was her for most my life. We lacked for nothing.

My favourite moments with my Mom are many, but those closest to my heart are those I spent with her in her last few days. The sound of her laughter as we got ready for Christmas is one that will comfort and haunt me for the rest of my days.

I will miss my Mom more than words can possibly express, but I know in my heart that she’s in peace. I am comforted in knowing that there will be no more sadness in her life, that there will be no more disappointment, that she is at a happier place.

I know you’re tired Mommy, and it’s okay…we’re going to be okay.