TO LOVE A MOTHER

I grew up listening to the song "Sweet Mother" and remember several times when fathers or other men get upset by it... "when will they sing a song for fathers?!" I understood their concern. Afterall, I too will become a father someday and I will very much like it if my children were to sing my praise! Well, I wished I could sing a song for fathers but unfortunately, I cannot. You see, I do not know him well enough to really appreciate the role of a father enough to sing it.
Mothers have been my only source of parenting all my life! From my mum, her mum, her mum's mum... They were the parents I knew. They taught me some of the values that formed the man you know today. I can never forget my great granny.. She had a tough skin... Firm but kind! Our encounter was brief but memorable... I thought she did not like me much because she was always on my case especially if I did wrong but now that I am older, I realised that she was only trying to set me on the right path.
My granny however, was one shoulder I could always lean on. She always assured me everything would be okay. She was tough too by the way, but I never for one day doubted her love for me. You may not believe it, but I was a stubborn kid! Maybe not so stubborn but I am very opinionated. I wanted to be heard and I've always liked to be in charge of things and do less under authority. Not because I choose to be, but I guess its in my nature. I produce the best results when I am in charge. My granny understood that and she worked with me, taught me stuff... She'd take me in when I have a major disagreement with mum and she'll say "don't worry, everything will be alright" :)
My mum.... Hnmmmm! That woman is a woman among women! She is stronger than 10men! She is FIRE! I think she became that way because she is an only daughter among 5 strong men and she too had 4 strong boys as children and she had to raise all 4 of us on her own. Sometimes, I feel she should write a book about her experiences and if she did, it will be a bestseller.
She has been through a lot and has stayed strong through it. From her I have learnt not tot live beyond my means... I have learnt not to depend on others but be satisfied with myself and rather to be someone else's problem, I should be many people's solution!
It hasn't been all rosy between us... Infact, I think we were fighting 80% of the time... lol! But still, everyone who came in contact with me will tell you... "Charles Granville loves his mum!" and that is because, I do appreciate the sacrifices she put in. The successes she has achieved and the love she has shown.
In my new album, I dedicated a track to mothers... Not just my mum but all mothers because through mine I came to discover that we cannot appreciate these women enough! And we should!
I remember seeing an elderly lady trying to get up the stairs from the subway in one of the train stations in london... I was just coming off the train myself and she was not on that train... She had very heavy luggages and as a result, it slowed her down. I could not understand why people just kept passing her by and no one cared enough to help her so, I passed too... But my heart did not let me, so I came back and offered her a hand.
Woman: How kind of you Sir....
Me: Its alright ma'am
Woman: You wouldn't grab my things and run away would you?!
Me: (Chuckles) No ma'am just trying to help...
She laughed and thanked me. She did not believe there were still people like me in the world... Well, There are! I have a mother and I would like for her to get such help where she needs it too! But if I know my mum, She'll find a way to get it done... lolz.
So, to my mum and to all mothers and aspiring mothers alike... On behalf of myself and on behalf of all those you have sacrificed for, we say THANK YOU.... We Love You!