1. Thank you, Maa, for choosing life — for carrying me in love and faith through nine precious months. 2. Thank you for bringing me safely into this world on that beautiful Wednesday, December 11, 1974. As I was drafting this message (unbeknownst to you, obviously), I jokingly asked what time of day I was born, and the response you wrote made me laugh while filling me with even deeper gratitude: “Akua, I think I’ll have to call your dad to remind me — I was so busy praying that day, I didn’t even notice whether it was dark or light!” ✌️ Medaase paa!! 3. Thank you for the warmth of your arms that were my first home, for the sleepless nights you spent watching over me and for every lullaby that comforted my cries. 4. Thank you for the gentle hands that bathed, clothed, and nurtured me. 5. Thank you for your patience when I took my first wobbly steps and for clapping with joy at my first words (am told ). 6. Thank you for throwing me the biggest first birthday party of all the children — at least as shown in the photos I’ve seen (and I’m definitely sticking to that! ). 7. Thank you for teaching me my very first prayers — to pray before bed, to dream without fear, and to trust that God always listens. 8. Thank you for introducing me to genuine kindness, compassion, and humility long before I could even spell the words. You welcomed people from all walks of life into our home — feeding, clothing and caring for those in need — even the mad woman who used to take shelter near our house on Akroso Road — showing me the true meaning of empathy, although I was sometimes scared. 9. Thank you for teaching me at an earlier age, to honor and respect everyone, regardless of their social class, and to give from the heart without expectation. 10. Thank you for the magic of your generosity. I watched you turn scarcity into abundance, feeding visitors with the little you had, leaving everyone nourished and grateful. I used to tease your “magic,” but the truth is, your kindness reminded me of Jesus feeding the multitude with just five loaves and two fishes — showing me that with love and faith, even the smallest offering can bless more than we can imagine. Your heart, your care, and your selfless giving have left an imprint onmine, and I am endlessly grateful. 11. Thank you for being my first teacher of words, songs, and wonder, and for sitting beside me through my first coloring books and nursery rhymes. 12. Thank you for holding my hand on the first day of school — you made courage look easy. Mother dearest, there are countless reasons why I am thankful to you for being the incredible mother you are. But to honor this remarkable milestone, your 80th birthday, I have chosen to share eighty heartfelt notes of gratitude. Each one is a small reflection of the immense love, wisdom, guidance, and blessings you have poured into my life; one for every precious year of your journey. Together, they stand as a tribute to the extraordinary care and selfless love you have given so freely—love that has poured endlessly into my heart and shaped my life in ways words can scarcely capture. You are, and will always be, the truest testament of what it means to be AMother. UNLEASHED : ADaughter’s FULL-BLOWN, Heart-On-Fire Gratitude Extravaganza 188 The Birthday Journal
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