Before I had children, Mother’s Day was about celebrating my own mum; finding the perfect card, writing words of gratitude, and picking out a small gift to make her feel loved and appreciated. Since becoming a mother myself, the day has taken on a new meaning. It’s lovely to be celebrated, to receive those handmade cards from my children, and to have one special day where all the chaos pauses. But the reality of motherhood is that it never really pauses. The juggle, the responsibility, the love, it’s all-consuming, every single day.
I cherish Mother’s Day not just because I’m recognised, but because it gives me a moment to reflect on the journey of motherhood itself. When my older two bring home their carefully crafted cards from school, I see myself in them; I remember making cards for my own mother, pressing down hard on my coloured pencils to make the words stand out, wanting her to know just how much I loved her. And now, my children do the same for me.
Yet, Mother’s Day is also bittersweet. My own mother lives far away in Tanzania, the place where I was born and raised. There is a quiet ache in not having her physically close, in not being able to wrap my arms around her and thank her in person for all that she has done. I miss her hugs, her advice, her calm presence when life feels overwhelming. As I navigate the complexities of raising three young children while building Mixala, I find myself longing for her wisdom more than ever. But I am grateful for the era we live in; video calls make the distance feel smaller, and hearing her voice, seeing her smile, makes the day feel a little less lonely.
Motherhood is a role that never truly ends. It is a journey of endless giving, boundless love, and, at times, deep exhaustion. But it is also the greatest gift. And on Mother’s Day, I celebrate not just myself, but all the mothers who give so much of themselves every single day. We are the nurturers, the comforters, the guides, the anchors.
There is a Swahili proverb that resonates deeply with me: “Mama ni mzazi, mlezi, mwalimu na rafiki.”
A mother is a giver of life, a nurturer, a teacher, and a friend.
Happy Mother’s Day,
Jaspreet, Co-Founder of Mixala
