“Just before I left home, three weeks after my 16th birthday, my Mum called me into a private meeting with her and while looking me directly in the eyes, she told me she was allowing me go, only because she trusted me completely and firmly believed that I would hold on to all I had learned, never forgetting my identity and the values which she had so lovingly tried to instill in me. Then she held me tightly, and for a short while, I thought I heard her sobbing, but when I turned to face her, she had on the most gentle smile on her face.
Upon reflection, I learnt the power of trust, as well as the sense of responsibility it brings to the person being given the precious gift. A gift that spelled freedom and at the same a tremendous responsibility to prove yourself worthy and to live up to that trust!”
I never thought about how difficult it must have been for Mum to let me go. To chose to trust me. I never stopped to ask what propelled her to take that decision.
Years later, I’m now learning the price of trusting another, and the risk involved. I am feeling the knot in my heart as I wholeheartedly offer the same gift to the people in my life.
That moment and that single generous act of faith was one experience that has continued to influence my decisions and my life.
I have to add that years after that conversation, on the eve of my 23rd birthday and 6 months before she passed away, my mum held my hands and told me that she was proud of me. This time, I saw her tears, but they appeared to be tears of joy.
Over 20 years have passed since that night, but still whenever I find myself celebrating success or hurting from disappointment or challenging decisions, I still see her face, I still hear her voice, and it still feels awesome that she trusted me then!”
Trusting.
