No word captures the elation I had to organize a befitting 70th birthday for my beloved mum alongside my siblings.
My mother, Tabitha Achieng Ochola Bolo – Osiany, has been consequential in our lives as our mum, teacher, confidant, medic and guide. If you know Tabitha, then you know she epitomizes a big heart! Over years she has taught us to love and embrace everyone from all walks of life. She has taught us to pay attention to the lowly and open our doors to those in need. Mum has taught us to think about orphans and care for widows! Above all a he taught us to love and wholly depend on God! That’s my mother!
A nurse by profession, who graduated for Kamagambo Adventist Secondary School and later went for her degree of nursing in Ethiopia’s Princess Zeuditu University before finishing in University of West Indies, Jamaica and later commenced her masters at Andrew’s University in the US. My mum is a high achiever, yet she mingles with everyone equally! Loves everyone the same. That’s my mother!
And so we gathered her friends and ours alike to celebrate her special day: her 70th birthday. I watched as she wept when we spoke. We recounted her loving embrace for all of us, how she worked diligently as a nurse and supported my late dad to bring up balanced children. We reminded her how her embrace was the secure at place when ran to when dad’s strictness overwhelmed us, and how she lined up children for me to support through fees, employment and other ways… Her friends who all surprised her as she didn’t know about the event, recounted journeys of love with ‘Sister’ as she has been known over the years. That’s my mother!
Hon. Phoebe Asiyo, dialing in from abroad, recounted how mum as a young girl cared for new mothers and the needy in her village. She would go and do their broken mud houses and help them with chores. Later, she started training community midwives on modern midwifery. That’s my mother!
My aunt Risper Dayo, mum’s last born sister, in a glowing tribute of praise, said how she learnt cleanliness and neatness from her. Describing mum as a woman whose heart is full of love, Aunty narrated the joy they had when mum just returned from overseas and how they’d brag about their sister who was the new Matron of Kendu Adventist Mission Hospital. That’s my mother!
My cherished wife Syombua Osiany marveled at the love of this Iron Lady, such love that made her wonder whether the stories people tell of mothers-in-law are even true!
And so in honor of the lady who taught us how to love and how to care, Syombua and I are adopting the Pediatric Ward of the Kendu Adventist Mission Hospital and we will work to upgrade it and equip it. With concurrence of the the hospital administration which was ably represented by the CEO, we are in concurrence that the upgraded and reequipped unit shall then be called the Tabitha Ochola Osiany Pediatric Unit. Why? Because this woman, has been so consequential that her name deserves to be preserved for several years. We trust that God will give her many more years of full health to witness the Unit named after her when she is still here.
Thanks Msanii Music Group for blessing us with great music. And to all friends who made time to be around mum and love on her, including our sister Akothee, my brother Silas Gisiora Nyanchwani, Douglas Mwati, Steve Gome and all of you special ones, we are truly grateful. That’s my mother!
Mama, age may have caught up and you may have lost your robustness, but tell you what mummy? I’m named after your beloved dad and I want to do the one thing you’ve done all these years: take care of you. I love you. I am because of you. I am a product of your fervent prayers. Happy birthday Mummy! I love you!
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