Her name is Vilimaina and every part of me that is good is because of her.

This is only a glimpse of the woman that I came from. This woman was thirty-six, vivacious, blonde, strong, smart, elegant, funny and beautiful with a mouth that could tear you down and raise you up in one breath. She was already a mom to her tender loving son, a wife to her soldier and here she was getting ready for her second child, me.

When I was younger I would say some pretty stupid things like “I hate her, why wouldn’t she just let me go out with my friends..” or “I can’t wait until I’m out of her house so I can do whatever I want…” Obviously, I would only say these things in my head because if I ever spoke like that to my mom, I am 100% sure I would not be alive right now, haha. But today I reflect on how much I would give anything to just go back to the teenage me to say “hey, shut up and be grateful, she’s doing everything she can to give you the life she never had.”

Now in my late 20s, I can’t wait to talk to my mom on the phone or video call  her because we’re oceans apart for the moment. It’s crazy, a little over a decade ago I couldn’t wait to venture out because I thought she was too strict; but today, I would give anything to be back in that same house, watching NCIS and laughing about all our silly inside jokes.

Her name is Vilimaina and I am grateful that my brother & I get to call her mom.

Words are not enough to describe her, pictures even with 140 characters don’t do her justice but there is a Proverb from long ago that a mother taught her son that pretty much sums up this woman that I came from.

She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her…

Her name is Vilimaina, the woman that I come from.

I love you, mom.