My husband’s mother had a heart of gold
Jun 11, 2009
I met my heroine four years ago. I have had pillars, mentors and guides in my life, including my special mother, Susan Mabonga. But I met a woman with a golden heart. I asked God why I had not met her earlier in my life.<br>
By Sylvia Mabonga
I met my heroine four years ago. I have had pillars, mentors and guides in my life, including my special mother, Susan Mabonga. But I met a woman with a golden heart. I asked God why I had not met her earlier in my life.
I met Mr. Right and we had a baby in June 2005. Later that year during the Christmas season, I went to his village in Nyakahita, Kiruhura district, to meet my in-laws.
I was nervous and pleaded to remain in Kampala, but that meant staying with a six-month-old baby who was supposed to be baptised on Christmas, so my plea was in vain.
I dreaded spending Christmas away from my mother, with people of a different tribe and culture.
We travelled on Christmas Eve.
As we approached her compound, I saw a fairly old but strong woman sitting in front of her house. My companion whispered that she was Mukyara. She did not show any excitement, driving my adrenaline high.
Meanwhile my companion left for the trading centre, leaving me behind with people I did not know. Due to the language barrier, we were tongue-tied for a while, but she broke the silence by asking about my biography and education.
I tried to relax, but was uneasy as her home had around 15 people. Later, I learnt that she had eight children. My spouse was her last born.
Though widowed, she also looked after other people. She had created a personal relationship with each of them. We became close in just a week.
Mukyara was not the kind who waited on her children. Each of us had something to share from her sweat. She accepted her daughters-in-law, loved and looked after her grandchildren.
During the festive season, we all gathered at home. Sometimes I wonder if I will be able to treat my daughters-in-law that way.
I was almost giving up on my first born due to frequent convulsions, but thank God for Mukyara.
She walked through the bushes looking for herbs for various illnesses.
Her last born would sometimes annoy her, but she would wake him up with a cup of yogurt.
Unfortunately, she died on December 18, 2008. She is my heroine not because she has only done good to me but to so many.
The writer works with Ace Consult Ltd
I met my heroine four years ago. I have had pillars, mentors and guides in my life, including my special mother, Susan Mabonga. But I met a woman with a golden heart. I asked God why I had not met her earlier in my life.
I met Mr. Right and we had a baby in June 2005. Later that year during the Christmas season, I went to his village in Nyakahita, Kiruhura district, to meet my in-laws.
I was nervous and pleaded to remain in Kampala, but that meant staying with a six-month-old baby who was supposed to be baptised on Christmas, so my plea was in vain.
I dreaded spending Christmas away from my mother, with people of a different tribe and culture.
We travelled on Christmas Eve.
As we approached her compound, I saw a fairly old but strong woman sitting in front of her house. My companion whispered that she was Mukyara. She did not show any excitement, driving my adrenaline high.
Meanwhile my companion left for the trading centre, leaving me behind with people I did not know. Due to the language barrier, we were tongue-tied for a while, but she broke the silence by asking about my biography and education.
I tried to relax, but was uneasy as her home had around 15 people. Later, I learnt that she had eight children. My spouse was her last born.
Though widowed, she also looked after other people. She had created a personal relationship with each of them. We became close in just a week.
Mukyara was not the kind who waited on her children. Each of us had something to share from her sweat. She accepted her daughters-in-law, loved and looked after her grandchildren.
During the festive season, we all gathered at home. Sometimes I wonder if I will be able to treat my daughters-in-law that way.
I was almost giving up on my first born due to frequent convulsions, but thank God for Mukyara.
She walked through the bushes looking for herbs for various illnesses.
Her last born would sometimes annoy her, but she would wake him up with a cup of yogurt.
Unfortunately, she died on December 18, 2008. She is my heroine not because she has only done good to me but to so many.
The writer works with Ace Consult Ltd