Hats off to these special breed of mums

As we get deeper into the festive season, life has happened to people in different ways. There are some of us celebrating how good the year has been and tossing wine in jubilation. For others it is a bitter cup.

There is a group of people who life, instead of presenting them with joy and good tidings that the holidays are meant to bring, life has presented them with a cloud of pain and sadness.

Even as we celebrate the festivities, let’s remember this special group of people who are going through hell this holiday season:

Those who’ve lost a loved one: There is nothing as shuttering as losing a loved one this Christmas season, be it a spouse or a parent. As you enjoy that warm beach on your holiday, remember that widow who has to cancel her Christmas vacation because of her husband’s sudden death.

The terminally ill: Before you start complaining to the heavens why you cannot afford an elaborate meal like the Mwaura’s this holiday season, remember our dear brothers and sisters who are battling cancer.

While we are lamenting because we did not have nyama choma in our menu, there is a cancer patient who just wants the pain to go away.

Those nursing a sick child: If there are people who deserve a million standing ovations, it is mothers taking care of children battling terminal illnesses.

These parents, especially the mothers have given up their flourishing careers and flashy lives, to take care of a child who is fighting a giant of a disease. This Christmas season, remember that brave mother who has been in India with her sick baby and they have run out of finances. Also deserving a standing ovation are women taking care of terminally ill spouses.

These are my unsung heroes this festive season. These special ones deserve a million accolades for the extraordinary work they are doing. My prayer for them is that the good Lord may grant them peace, relief and victory over whatever circumstance they are going through.

Those nursing a child with special needs: Before you complain how your toddler is not as fluent as your neighbors, or does not run as fast enough as your sister’s, think of that mother who is yet to hear his ten-year old utter a coherent word, or whose three-year old is yet to make his first steps. It takes extraordinary strength and will power to do what this gallant soldiers doing.

Those maimed, incapacitated: Picture this, one minute you are able bodied then the next you are incapacitated because of a drunk driver. There are citizens whose lives have been shattered forever because of the recklessness of some drunken teenager. This Christmas season, I pray for courage and strength to triumph over the odds against you.

Those nursing a heart break: As you walk down the aisle this season to marry your prince charming, remember there are those who are nursing heartbreaks because they were jilted at the last minute.

So before you complain these festive seasons about your mundane problems, “like oh I do not have new shoes”, remember there are people who do not have legs.