Mumosa

I had called you Mumosa for years before ever recognising how profound and accurate that title was. It started because I recognised that you were a ‘one and only’ so I couldn't call you what everyone else called their mothers.

So Mumosa, this is the story of how, as a child, I choose a title fit for the woman you are.

The Mimosa flower is a symbol for women's strength and safety.

You always told us as children that you were not our friend but our mother and I guess at first I didn’t understand, but I understand it now. You said it to protect us from things we were yet to discover. You said it so we knew that every time we lost a friend, or were betrayed, or hurt, we knew that you were not the same. Friends can grow apart, friends can choose someone else instead of you, friends are not always and forever; but you are. You told us this because it is a mothers job to protect, even when it hurts, and that we can rely on you for the truth in all things. You shared your strength in every unseen battle, every tear hidden behind an encouraging smile, every ounce of blame that grew to a weight heavy upon your shoulders.

You are my source of strength, you are my safe place.

The Mimosa flower is a symbol of sensibility and sensitivity.

You are both sides of this particular coin. You taught me how to balance between the joy of embracing your inner child and the power of learning to protect yourself. You have always been my greatest example to never be ashamed of your emotions; not of how wide they range or how deep they plummet. You have never shown me pity when I have struggled nor failed to show your pride when I have succeeded. You are the reason that I happily accept the woman I have become even on the worst of days.

You are the embodiment of sense.

The Mimosa flower is used medicinally to calm and lift one’s spirit, to treat anxiety, depression and emotional trauma.

Even when you didn’t understand depression or anxiety; even when you struggled with these monsters in the dark, you helped me fight my monsters too. Even when you couldn’t understand why there were marks on my skin or why I cried so hard I couldn’t breath, you fought these demons that had no shape. Then you started to ask me questions, you were patient and gentle as you tried to learn exactly how it was that I was broken and then you took your time to piece me back together so I was whole again and even stronger than before. You will never understand how just knowing you never judged me, but simply reminded me that you were there, made the world of difference. This was how I came to learn that no matter who I was, who I might become or what struggles I was facing I knew that you would be waiting or would come running whenever I needed.

You are my most effective medicine.

The Mimosa flower is a symbol for the sun.

You are a bright light whenever I cannot escape the dark. You are a bubbling laughter that ends in incredible snorts and stomach pains. You are the colour yellow dotted in every happy memory. You are the warmth of a spring day. You are the soft comfort of calm sand. You are the joy and pride behind my every passion. You are the encouraging love behind every achievement.

You are the source that gave me life and taught me how to cherish it.

So when you look at me and are proud, remember, that as the artist who created me it's ok to take a little credit when it's due.

The Mimosa flower is a symbol for our Hero's.

You are mine.