‘And you’ve been my guide threw all the trouble I faced
They playing our song the lifebeat my hand on your waist
I grab your other hand and try not to step on your toes
Spin you around with my eyes closed
Dreaming I could have
One more dance with you mama’

The above taken from Nas song Dance, it was dedicated to his mother.

While the below is taken from 2pac song Dear Mama:

‘Pour out some liquor and I reminisce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I’m hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there’s no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act crazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there’s a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It’s a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there’s no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated’

Those fortunate to have a mother will understand the lyrics, mothers are probably the strongest women we know, I know my own mother (the lady) is.

My mother was a tomboy growing up, she was riding motorcycles at nineteen, she was the first person in her family to go to university – the first girl!
She was a teacher, and what a first teacher for any child to have.
She was the first woman I loved and still do, they say the love between a mother and child is pure and innocent, there is nothing that can match it.

She always bought me anything I wanted for my birthday and Christmas – even if she couldn’t get the exact same one, for example one birthday I wanted the Ghostbusters cartoon, but, it was out of stock, so she substituted it with Filmation Ghostbusters – not quite the same thing but the theme tune was pretty awesome.

My mother taught me all everything I know – well all the good bits, perhaps she also taught me naivety. My naivety sure has got me in things that I should have known better to avoid. My naivety to assume everyone had a similar innocent upbringing as me, clearly not. But I have learnt this lesson and have learnt it well, I have hardened, but have not turned to stone, as my mother also taught me compassion, maybe she should have taught me to stop always apologising, even for things that weren’t my fault – I blame the British for this, but, my mother is the most compassionate woman I have had the privilege to have known.

I don’t know what the future brings, but this morning when I washed my face and stared back into the mirror I could see both my mother and father staring back at me, and I felt good, I know they are both always there with me.

Yes, perhaps the last few years I haven’t spoken to her as often as I should, but I am trying, you should too.

My mother also took my wristwatches and wore them herself, which meant I would have to get a new watch, I am waiting for her to do this with my latest one, time is waiting for you lady.