Omugwo without my Mom

Omugwo without my Mom

Jan 16, 2024Elizabeth Yakubu

(Based on a true life story)

I had always dreamed of having my mom by my side when I gave birth to my first child. She had been there for me throughout my life, supporting me, encouraging me, and loving me unconditionally. She was the one who taught me how to be a woman, how to cook, how to pray, and how to take care of a family. She was the one who told me stories of her own omugwo, the traditional Igbo practice of postnatal care, where the mother of the new mother comes to stay with her for a month or more, helping her with the baby, the housework, and the recovery. She was the one who promised me that she would do the same for me, no matter where I was.

 

But fate had other plans. I had moved to the US with my husband, who had gotten a job offer there. We had applied for a visa for my mom, hoping that she would be able to join us before the baby was due. But the process was long and complicated, and we faced many delays and rejections. We tried everything we could, but nothing worked. My mom was denied a visa, and she could not come to the US.

 

I was heartbroken when my husband broke the news to me. I cried and cried, feeling alone and scared. How could I have my baby without my mom? How could I cope with the pain, the stress, and the responsibility? How could I learn to be a mother without my mother?

 

My husband tried to console me, telling me that we would manage somehow. He said that we had each other, and that God would not forsake us. He said that we could still talk to my mom on the phone or video call and that she would give us advice and guidance. He said that we could find some of the essential omugwo foods online, and that he would help me cook them. He said that we could listen to music and watch movies to distract ourselves from the sadness. He hugged me and kissed me, and told me that he loved me and our baby.

 

I appreciated his efforts, but I still felt a void in my heart. I missed my mom so much, and I wished she could be with me. I prayed and prayed, asking God to make a way for her to come, or to give me the strength to face this challenge.

 

As the days passed, we tried to prepare ourselves for the baby's arrival. We knew there were several African Markets in the US but we wanted the one with the best experience. The one where we could get all the ingredients to make foods and feel the taste of home. The one where all the ingredients would be fresh and delicious. So, the searches started: 'Where can I get Nigerian foods in the US?'; 'Which is the best African Market in the US'; 'Where can I get the best omugwo foodstuffs in the US?' and so on. For all of our searches and comparisons, My Sasun African Market topped. Oh, thank God for this store!

 

As soon as I visited their websites and saw all they had to offer with good prices, I just knew my omugwo might be as nightmarish without my sweet mom as I had thought. We were able to place orders for various things, like palm oil, All swallow flours (Garri, Elubo, Poundo, Fufu, Cassava etc). We even got so many types of pap we were confused on which to choose, haha, oh my world! What about Egusi and all other soup ingredients, dried and fresh fish, all Nigerian breaksfast necessities (like agege bread- yes, seriously! Titus sardines, peak milk, milo, honey, blueband butter, cerelac etc). Don't let me bore you with my excitement, hahaha. I just mean that I got every single thing I needed. The day My Sasun African Market came to do my doorstep delivery, you would think I had just arrived from Gbagi Market in Ibadan, haha- it was all as Nigerian as Nigerian can be! My kitchen came alive with the Nigerian smell. Oh gracious me!

 

So, we started to make some foods ahead of the baby's arrival so that coming home from the hospital after the delivery wouldn't make mummy's absence felt that much. We made some yam and catfish pepper soup, okra soup, ogbono soup, plantain porridge, stew, pepper sauce and so on. We stored all of them in the freezer. We also used music and movies to get through the times. We listened to some of our favorite songs and danced together. We also watched some of our favorite Nigerian movies, like The Wedding Party, Lionheart, and Half of a Yellow Sun. We laughed and danced and sang, trying to forget our worries and enjoy ourselves.

 

On the D-day, I woke up with a sharp pain in my lower abdomen. I knew it was time. I woke up my husband, and we quickly got ready to go to the hospital. We grabbed my hospital bags I also took a picture of my mom, which I had framed and kept on my bedside table. I wanted to have her with me, even if it was only in spirit. We got into the car, and my husband drove as fast as he could. The pain was getting worse, and I felt contractions every few minutes. I breathed deeply, and tried to calm myself. I held the picture of my mom, and whispered to her that I loved her and that I needed her. I also whispered to my baby, telling him that I loved him and that I was waiting for him.

 

We reached the hospital, and I was wheeled into the delivery room. I felt hopeless and helpless, as I faced the most difficult moment of my life without my mom. I wished she could be there, holding my hand, wiping my sweat, and telling me that everything would be okay.

But I was not alone. My husband was there, and he was amazing. He stayed by my side, holding my hand, wiping my sweat, and telling me that everything would be okay. He encouraged me, cheered me on, and prayed with me. He was my rock, my partner, and my best friend. Oh, I never knew I could find such a great support system in him- I had underestimated him.

 

And then, after hours of labor, I heard a cry. A beautiful, loud, and sweet cry. I looked down, and I saw a tiny face, a pair of eyes, and a tuft of hair. I saw my baby, my miracle, and my joy. The nurse handed me the baby, and I held him in my arms. I felt a surge of love, and a burst of tears. I kissed the baby, and thanked God for this gift. I looked at my husband, and he smiled and kissed me. He said, "We did it. We have a baby. We are parents." I was so happy, and so grateful. I forgot all the pain, and all the sadness. I felt only love, and peace.

 

The next few days were a blur of emotions and activities. We stayed in the hospital for a while, and we got discharged three days later. We named our little gift, Chukwuebuka, meaning "God is great". We called my mom, and we showed her our son. She was overjoyed, and she cried and laughed and blessed us. She said that he was beautiful, and that he looked like me. She said that she was proud of me, and that I was a great mother. She said that she wished she could be there, but that she was happy that we were doing well. She said that she loved us, and that she would see us soon.

 

We also got a lot of support from our church. They brought us different dishes, like jollof rice, fried plantain, chicken stew, and moi moi. They also brought us gifts, like clothes, toys, books, and diapers for the baby. They congratulated us, and they prayed for us. They also offered to help us with anything we needed. They even organized an old woman per day to come stay with me at home, bathe the child, and help with a few chores. It felt so surreal, because since it was abroad, I never expected anyone would have my time. But with God's grace, I got enough people to last me a few days.

 

We also kept in touch with my mom, who practically lived on video calls with us. She tried to put me through on how to do a few things, like how to massage the baby, how to clean his belly button, and how to make him burp. She also gave me advice on how to heal, how to eat, and how to rest. She also told me stories, jokes, and gossip, to keep me entertained and happy. She was not physically there, but she was emotionally there. She was still my mom, and she was still at my omugwo, haha.

 

After all, my fears weren't exactly what I got. I got favour all the way. And though I would love my mom to be around for my next omugwo, because a mother's love is no joke, I am thankful for how God made this first one seamless. He gave me a wonderful husband, a beautiful son, a supportive church, and a loving mom. He gave me everything I needed, and more. He gave me omugwo without my mom, but with His grace.

More articles

Comments (75)

  • I’m at a loss for how to express this. My sister welcomed twin daughters in July, and I found myself in a difficult financial and emotional state. I am known as Celta Vallecano, and during my quest to find quick cash, I came across an advertisement claiming that Lord Meduza provides precise numbers to those genuinely selected for freedom from financial struggles through his genuine spell. I felt compelled to take a chance, and ever since reaching out to Lord Meduza, my life has significantly improved. As I write this, I am now a winner of €375 million Euros after adhering to all the guidance and utilizing the MEGA MILLIONS numbers provided by Lord Meduza. I want to express my gratitude for the fact that assistance is indeed possible, regardless of how difficult your circumstances may seem. I highly recommend him in case you require any assistance.. Simply Whats_App +18079072687 or E-mail: lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com and for more inquiring visit: lordmeduzatemple.com

    Celta Vallecano
  • Referral for Expert Crypto Recovery Services – Proven Results with TREK Tech Corp

    My name is Franziska Tamino, and I am based in Germany, where I am engaged in the real estate sector. Two months ago, I experienced a significant financial loss, totaling $2.3 million in Bitcoin and USDT, due to the actions of a fraudulent investment firm. The incident was initiated when I received an appealing proposal from an organization called CANCAP, which promised substantial returns and displayed verified investor profits, prompting me to invest the entire amount.

    Subsequently, I faced persistent demands for additional payments when attempting to withdraw funds. Shortly thereafter, their website disappeared, and all attempts to establish contact proved unsuccessful. I was left in shock, with my hopes of recovering the funds diminishing rapidly. Despite my efforts to involve authorities, these fraudsters remained elusive.

    Approximately one month after the incident, while conducting online research, I came across an article about TREK Tech Corp, a firm renowned for its expertise in cryptocurrency recovery. I reached out to them and was profoundly impressed by the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by their team. Utilizing advanced software tools, they successfully recovered $1.8 Million USD from the total amount within just 72 hours—despite the scam having occurred months prior. I remain deeply grateful for their assistance and continue to be in awe of their capabilities.

    If you require similar support, I strongly recommend contacting them at: trektechcorp1@gmail.com or trektechcorp@consultant.com] For more information, please visit: [https://trektechcorp.net/]

    Franziska Tamino
  • Referral for Expert Crypto Recovery Services – Proven Results with TREK Tech Corp

    My name is Franziska Tamino, and I am based in Germany, where I am engaged in the real estate sector. Two months ago, I experienced a significant financial loss, totaling $2.3 million in Bitcoin and USDT, due to the actions of a fraudulent investment firm. The incident was initiated when I received an appealing proposal from an organization called CANCAP, which promised substantial returns and displayed verified investor profits, prompting me to invest the entire amount.

    Subsequently, I faced persistent demands for additional payments when attempting to withdraw funds. Shortly thereafter, their website disappeared, and all attempts to establish contact proved unsuccessful. I was left in shock, with my hopes of recovering the funds diminishing rapidly. Despite my efforts to involve authorities, these fraudsters remained elusive.

    Approximately one month after the incident, while conducting online research, I came across an article about TREK Tech Corp, a firm renowned for its expertise in cryptocurrency recovery. I reached out to them and was profoundly impressed by the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by their team. Utilizing advanced software tools, they successfully recovered $1.8 Million USD from the total amount within just 72 hours—despite the scam having occurred months prior. I remain deeply grateful for their assistance and continue to be in awe of their capabilities.

    If you require similar support, I strongly recommend contacting them at: trektechcorp1@gmail.com or trektechcorp@consultant.com] For more information, please visit: [https://trektechcorp.net/]

    Franziska Tamino
  • Referral for Expert Crypto Recovery Services – Proven Results with TREK Tech Corp

    My name is Franziska Tamino, and I am based in Germany, where I am engaged in the real estate sector. Two months ago, I experienced a significant financial loss, totaling $2.3 million in Bitcoin and USDT, due to the actions of a fraudulent investment firm. The incident was initiated when I received an appealing proposal from an organization called CANCAP, which promised substantial returns and displayed verified investor profits, prompting me to invest the entire amount.

    Subsequently, I faced persistent demands for additional payments when attempting to withdraw funds. Shortly thereafter, their website disappeared, and all attempts to establish contact proved unsuccessful. I was left in shock, with my hopes of recovering the funds diminishing rapidly. Despite my efforts to involve authorities, these fraudsters remained elusive.

    Approximately one month after the incident, while conducting online research, I came across an article about TREK Tech Corp, a firm renowned for its expertise in cryptocurrency recovery. I reached out to them and was profoundly impressed by the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by their team. Utilizing advanced software tools, they successfully recovered $1.8 Million USD from the total amount within just 72 hours—despite the scam having occurred months prior. I remain deeply grateful for their assistance and continue to be in awe of their capabilities.

    If you require similar support, I strongly recommend contacting them at: trektechcorp1@gmail.com or trektechcorp@consultant.com] For more information, please visit: [https://trektechcorp.net/]

    Franziska Tamino
  • Referral for Expert Crypto Recovery Services – Proven Results with TREK Tech Corp

    My name is Franziska Tamino, and I am based in Germany, where I am engaged in the real estate sector. Two months ago, I experienced a significant financial loss, totaling $2.3 million in Bitcoin and USDT, due to the actions of a fraudulent investment firm. The incident was initiated when I received an appealing proposal from an organization called CANCAP, which promised substantial returns and displayed verified investor profits, prompting me to invest the entire amount.

    Subsequently, I faced persistent demands for additional payments when attempting to withdraw funds. Shortly thereafter, their website disappeared, and all attempts to establish contact proved unsuccessful. I was left in shock, with my hopes of recovering the funds diminishing rapidly. Despite my efforts to involve authorities, these fraudsters remained elusive.

    Approximately one month after the incident, while conducting online research, I came across an article about TREK Tech Corp, a firm renowned for its expertise in cryptocurrency recovery. I reached out to them and was profoundly impressed by the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by their team. Utilizing advanced software tools, they successfully recovered $1.8 Million USD from the total amount within just 72 hours—despite the scam having occurred months prior. I remain deeply grateful for their assistance and continue to be in awe of their capabilities.

    If you require similar support, I strongly recommend contacting them at: trektechcorp1@gmail.com or trektechcorp@consultant.com] For more information, please visit: [https://trektechcorp.net/]

    Franziska Tamino
  • Referral for Expert Crypto Recovery Services – Proven Results with TREK Tech Corp

    My name is Franziska Tamino, and I am based in Germany, where I am engaged in the real estate sector. Two months ago, I experienced a significant financial loss, totaling $2.3 million in Bitcoin and USDT, due to the actions of a fraudulent investment firm. The incident was initiated when I received an appealing proposal from an organization called CANCAP, which promised substantial returns and displayed verified investor profits, prompting me to invest the entire amount.

    Subsequently, I faced persistent demands for additional payments when attempting to withdraw funds. Shortly thereafter, their website disappeared, and all attempts to establish contact proved unsuccessful. I was left in shock, with my hopes of recovering the funds diminishing rapidly. Despite my efforts to involve authorities, these fraudsters remained elusive.

    Approximately one month after the incident, while conducting online research, I came across an article about TREK Tech Corp, a firm renowned for its expertise in cryptocurrency recovery. I reached out to them and was profoundly impressed by the professionalism and efficiency demonstrated by their team. Utilizing advanced software tools, they successfully recovered $1.8 Million USD from the total amount within just 72 hours—despite the scam having occurred months prior. I remain deeply grateful for their assistance and continue to be in awe of their capabilities.

    If you require similar support, I strongly recommend contacting them at: trektechcorp1@gmail.com or trektechcorp@consultant.com] For more information, please visit: [https://trektechcorp.net/]

    Franziska Tamino
  • HELLO EVERYONE.. FEW MUNINETS TO REDY THIS INFOR ON HERPES CURE 2018..
    2017 MY MOTHER WAS DIAGNOSED OF HERPES/ KNOWN AS GENITAL WARTS ,I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON HER MEDICATION TILL A POINT I EVEN LOST HOPE,BECAUSE MY MOTHER WAS GRADUALLY DYING AND LOST HER MEMORY TOO, I WAS SO DESPERATE TO GET MY MOTHER BACK TO NORMAL, ONE DAY MY UNCLE WHO LIVES IN LONDON UNITED KINGDOM TOLD ME ABOUT DR OLIHA ,WHO HELPED HIM GET RID OF HERPES /GENITAL WART WITH HERBAL MEDICINE AND HIS HERBAL SOAP ,I WAS SO SHOCKED WHEN HE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS ,ALTHOUGH I NEVER BELIEVE IN HERB BUT, I KEEP TO BELIEVE BECAUSE MY UNCLE CAN’T TELL ME LIES WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CONDITION I CONTACTED DR OLIHA VIA HIS EMAIL; OLIHA.MIRACLEMEDICINE@GMAIL.COM , YOU CAN TALK TO HIM VIA CALL OR WHATSAPP MESSENGER ON +2349038382931 , HE REPLIED AND ASK ME TO SEND MY HOME ADDRESS AND MY MOTHER’S DETAIL AND THEN I PURCHASED THE HERBAL MEDICINE,SENT ME THE HERBAL MEDICINE THROUGH COURIER SERVICE, WHEN I RECEIVED THIS HERBAL MEDICINE USED IT FOR 2 WEEKS, AND 4 DAYS OF USAGE THE WARTS FELL OFF, MY MOTHER I NOW TOTALLY CURED AND MY MOTHER IS LIVING FREE AND HAPPY AGAIN. YOU CAN TALK TO DR VIA HIS MOBILE NUMBER OR WHATS APP HIM ON +2349038382931 OR https://olihamiraclemedici.wixsite.com/drolihamiraclemedici/ ALL THANKS TO DOCTOR DR OLIHA 

    Elizabeth Matheus
  • Good Morning!! My name is Justin Simporios from Canada. My daughter was unable to walk for several months after an accident that required her to have surgery. Because I haven’t won the Lotto I’ve been playing for so long, I haven’t been able to pay for the surgery. A friend online recommended Lord Meduza to me and he deserves a really, really big THANK YOU. This man chose to help me with a lottery spell and he gave me the precise numbers to play the Canada Lotto Max Lottery. After two weeks, I was proclaimed the winner of $80 MILLION DOLLARS. Now, my daughter will be able to walk once more after so much time as her surgery is now completely funded. My victory marks the biggest win for a single ticket in Lotto Max history in Canada.. I still can’t believe it, Indeed there’s none like Lord Meduza. Although if you want your EX LOVER back he can help you too so get in touch with him right now.
    Email: lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com
    Whats-App: +1 (807) 907-2687
    Website: lordmeduzatemple.com

    Justin Simporios
  • HIRE THE TOP CRYPTO & BITCOIN RECOVERY EXPERTS THE HACK ANGELS

    I have always thought it would be impossible to recover stolen cryptocurrency funds until I came across a hacker called THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT. Thanks to their expertise and dedication. If you’ve lost Bitcoin due to a wrong transaction, hacking, or forgotten private keys, THE HACK ANGELS RECOVERY EXPERT is here to help. If they could recover my $820,000 there’s hope for you too. I highly endorse their services to anyone looking to have their funds traced and recovered. You can get in touch with them through their Contact

    WhatsApp (+1(520)200-2320

    Email at support@thehackangels.com

    Website at www.thehackangels.com

    If you’re in London, you can even visit them in person at their office located at 45-46 Red Lion Street, London WC1R 4PF, UK.

    Marian Lucas
  • FINALLY I GOT MY LOST BITCOIN BACK ALL THANKS TO TSUTOMU SHIMOMURA

    Hello everyone I want to use this Medium to say big thank you to TSUTOMU SHIMOMURA for they helped me recover my stolen crypto worth $250,000 through their hacking skills I tried it I was skeptic but it worked and I got my money back, I’m so glad I came across them early because I thought I was never going to get my money back from those fake online investment websites . you can also contact them WEBSITE: https://tsutomus hackexpert.com/ or Email address support @ tsutomushackexpert.com, and I’m sure you will be happy you did.

    Kurt

Leave a comment