Heart and Soul: Mother – a gift from God

The writer with his mother at his Masters graduation. Photos: Victor David

The role of mothers embodies a divine presence within a family. Bringing forth a piece of their very being into the world, they stand witness to the first breath of their child, an honour bestowed by the Almighty. This unfolding process involves complex changes, both physical and mental. A mother's ability to endure pain with unwavering determination, coupled with her deep bond with her child, illuminates the extraordinary capacity of a woman’s spirit.

I am the firstborn in my family. My mother told me that I was a "forceps baby". I only understood this term when I became a doctor. It involves the use of forceps to gently guide the baby through the birth canal. This is usually done under life-threatening circumstances for the mother or child. In my case, it was my large head which refused to budge despite the due date.