SC-S29/W4- Nostalgia Of The Liitle Me : People Who Shaped My Childhood

This week's challenge is to travel through emotional time, which makes me reflect on the fact that we come into this world with a purpose. We are a collection of gestures, teachings and learnings that become part of our lives when we open our eyes to this world.

Who is the person (or people) that shaped your childhood the most?

My dad was a man who spent little time at home and had a bad temper, but my mum was definitely the one who shaped my character with her teachings. Despite raising us practically on her own, she was there at every stage of my life. That look, that gesture spoke for itself. She spoke with her eyes. She taught me to be honest, responsible and that whatever I do, I must do it well. These were invisible lessons that were reinforced every day.

Today, with nostalgia and melancholy, the image of her in the kitchen preparing food for that battalion of children comes to mind. She took us to church every Sunday. What a strong, virtuous warrior my mum is. She took me by the hand. There are not many photos from that time, but I have everything stored in my memory and in my heart.

	Unconditional support

What is your earliest or most memorable memory with this person?

The memory that always stays with me is of Sundays, when we would get up early and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee would waft from the kitchen. She would prepare breakfast while the older siblings helped the younger ones wash, get dressed and eat breakfast. It was a day for going to church and going for walks.

From there, she would take us to the square, where she would give us the lunch she had prepared. She would sit on a bench while we ran around and played. Some Sundays we would go to the zoo, where she would sit us all down after lunch and we would look at the animals. This was repeated every Sunday; it was our day out with Mum.

	Walk along the promenade

My mum was always strict, acting firmly with a mixture of patience and love. Now I understand that it's not easy to raise 12 children. At the time, I didn't understand. She not only taught me to walk, but also values and responsibility. Although as a child I often thought my mum was annoying, in the end she was right. She gave us advice that we couldn't ignore.

My mother was my unconditional support. She helped me build confidence and self-assurance and develop my own identity. Despite our hardships, her words made me believe that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.

My mum never punished me with a whip, but I did feel the force of her slipper on my back for being disobedient, ha ha ha, and some punishments consisted of taking away my privileges, such as playing with my friends in the neighbourhood. The funny thing is that I adopted some of her methods with my own children, ha ha ha.

	Expression of affection

What values, habits, or lessons did you learn from them?

Of course, I learned resilience from my mother, despite the emotional situation she was going through, in which she barely slept because she worked sewing in the early hours of the morning and was already ready to attend to our needs. She was always generous and willing to help others. She always told us that there was someone worse off than her. She never minded sharing her food, and she would even go without eating herself to help those in need. Her magic words were: "God will provide."

From her, I also learned honesty, not to take anything that wasn't mine and to always tell the truth. She also taught me responsibility. She told us that if we had to wash the dishes, we should be the best at washing dishes, be responsible in everything we did in life and never be late. She was my role model growing up. My mother is perfectly imperfect, and I love her with all my heart.

	With my mirror, my beautiful mother guides and cares for me.

How does their influence still reflect in your life today?

A few days ago, my daughter told me I was just like her grandmother, ha ha ha, and she's right, because although I've improved in many ways — because there's no such thing as a perfect mother — her upbringing has stayed with me, just as she chose the path of punishment rather than violence, honesty. I never allow anything into my house without an explanation of why they have something I haven't bought.

Cleaning rituals: my mother was always very strict about cleaning the bathroom, and I am the same. I have also inherited her gestures, such as talking with my eyes when they have done something wrong. I just look at them, ha ha ha, and they understand. My mother was never toxic and instilled respect in us, so my children know that I am not a toxic mother, but they know that they have to respect me even when they are adults, ha ha ha.

I have my own style that makes me smile when I know I'm acting just like my mum. I don't see my mum's reflection, but I know that many of my actions are influenced by my mum's life. I thank heaven for allowing me to have a mum who never gave up despite adversity. I love you forever.