On the day that you wake up
Doubting yourself
On the day that you wake
Wondering if you are doing okay as a parent
On the day that you wake up
Feeling that you suck at being a mother
On the day that you wake up
Worrying if you are raising them right
On the day you wake up confused
Not knowing what the next step should be
On the day that you wake up
Wanting to cry instead of laugh or smile
On the day that you wake up
Huddled and not wanting to climb out
It takes the lovingly made card
Of small hands
The painstaking drawing of hearts and kisses
Of the warm hug and the beautiful words
That sounds like music in your ears
‘Mummy you are the bestest ever!’
‘I made this for you’
For you to learn,
That you are doing well
That you are the bestest, despite your shortcomings
Those words are the turn key
That makes you climb out and wear your smile with joy
To flip pancakes with oodles of syrup
Sniffing and thanking God for these young arms.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha