WOMAN, SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND COURAGE

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Greetings distinguished Steemians, My name is Marvelous Sunday Udofia and I am a Nigerian who has experienced moments where a woman served as a source of inspiration and courage to me. Permit me to express sincere gratitudes to @noelisdc for gathering us here in celebration of our prestigious women who came, saw and conquered thus making their lives a testimony to the generations to come. I will be seizing this opportunity to relate a real life experience I had that makes me to present my Eldest sister, Mercy As a woman ages should not forget in a drift.

To many men who are yet to have personal experience with virtuous women, this question may sound weird as they would think that it is only the qualities of a man that should inspire them. Ideally, there are many women whose presence alone has potentials of igniting and inspiring admiration, strength potentials coupled with an undisputable tendency to improve others and make them outstanding.

For me, that woman is no other person but my eldest sister, Mercy. I can vividly recall that from the moment our mother passed away, she stepped into a role she never asked for nor was obligated to do.

Yet, she embraced it with a heart full of love and sacrifices not minding what she might deprive herself. Her selfless attitude in ensuring that we never found herself wanting makes her stand out among her contemporaries. Despite her personal hurdles and setbacks, she made our (I and my junior siblings) total well-being her priority.

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Another vital aspect of my Elder sister was her resilience spirit amidst life trails. This virtue of ours made me believed that true strength is not seen by avoiding pains but through ones ability to strike boldly amidst pains.
Mercy's commitment, wisdom, and patience shaped us completely and made us have hope of a greater life ahead of us irrespective of the fact that we lost her mother at a very tender age.

Above all, her unwavering efforts towards providing food, care and shelter when Dad was weak means a million to us and it taught me that love indeed speaks louder than every other things.

On my opinion, I consider a Woman's dedication and sacrifice to be likened to ripples in an ocean spreading wide and touching the lives of everyone around her. Especially those who needed her help. My Eldest sister, Mercy, did not just raise us; She actually gave us hope when we had none and no one to run to. Her sacrifice went as far as staying away from school so as to ensure that we had a good primary education. I don't want to mention the silent tears, worries, sleepless nights and difficult pains she bored which in turn taught me the meaning of perseverance.

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Mercy's Impact extended beyond just I and my siblings and went as far as reaching relatives, friends, neighbors and loved ones. She was so nice that my community had to use her as a reference point when describing good deeds. She became a role model and mother before having a child. With Mercy, the definition of motherhood was no longer defined by biology but through love and commitment in bearing responsibilities.

Permit me to use this medium to narrate about a night I felt all hope was gone. This night, made life highly frustrating and unbearable as we had deep need for finance but without any source or hope of having any. During this night, I could see pains for the first time as Mercy's eyes grew weary and wet.

It was as though heaven as collapsed on her or variably that she was carrying the whole mountain on her head.
With great fears in my lips, I could recall whispering to her ears " Sister, do you have in mind of giving up?" She looked at me with a fake smile saying "If I Stop, who will hold you up and who will prepare dishes during your graduation?" These words made me strong in the midst of challenges.

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Before this night passed, I realized that true strength is not a function of being invincible but being visible yet, unshakable amidst challenges. Mercy taught me that kindness could be a person and its involved ensuring that help is given out even when we are draining. Mercy made me understood and redefined my understanding of what selfless love means.

Women like my Elder sister are living testament to justify that hope is not just a word but an action to be implemented by someone. For a woman to be a beacon of hope, she must always be ready to give out her very best when ever life's situations warrants.

Just like Mercy, whether a woman is a mother, sister, teacher, niece or aunty, she shines greatly and ensure that her lights rekindles others and make them to shine as well. She ensures that darkness sets off while proving that even in the greatest tragedy of life, love could still evolve.

[Shots from Redmi A3]

My Elder Sister, Mercy is a beacon of hope for us and to everyone who kept closer to her. She actually ensured that even in the darkest moments of one's life, they could still light the way for others to shine greatly.

From the bottom of my heart, if I had the opportunity of thanking my sister in the deepest possible way, I would tell her the following words;

"You never had the opportunity of enjoying childhood as a child but you got to learned motherhood which is more vital. You where not obligated to sacrifice your dreams, but you did just for us. You where never obligated to take up this role but you did and in accepting this responsibilities, you became more than a sister to us."

You took the role of a counselor, protector, mother, our guide and world most expensive gift. Sister Mercy, I may never truly understand the weight of the cross you carried, nor have the ability to pay you back, but trust me that through this medium, ages will always live to remember you" I Love you from the bottom of my heart.

I wishes @ngozi996, @gertu, @rossnenye and @ruthjoe a happy Women's Day celebration and as well invite them to join the contest.