Big Mommy’s love and encouragement knew no bounds. Despite being a slightly nervous 18-year-old, fresh out of high school, Mommy selected me to represent her at an international conference at Cambridge University. This was her first ‘grown up’ task for me. She walked me through the weekend and encouraged me to stand and speak to international experts in public health, metabolic medicine, and endocrinology. As I write this, I look back in awe. I went on to talk about this experience when I interviewed for an MBPhD position at London’s UCL.
I do not remember telling her when my birthday was, but, from that year on, Mommy never forgot a birthday. She would regularly check in on my progress at medical school and she spoke to me about helping her manage a medical centre in Oyo State once I graduated. My graduation ceremony is this summer and I wish she might have been there to see me formally collect my degree.
If it is true that we cannot be what we cannot see, I thank God for allowing me to see such a powerful, intellectual woman in my own household. Mommy held me together so tenderly. She believed in me before I truly faced the challenges of believing in myself.
I love you deeply Ma, and I hope to pay tribute to your legacy as I start my career.
Love,
Dr Simisola Sule,
London, UK