How did Belisha touch you?

Let’s say my mom is carrying some candy in her hands. You walk past her, and glance at the candy for one second. When she sees you looking at her candy, instead of saying, “it’s mine” or “You can only have a little”, she asks you, “do you want it?”, and she hands you everything that was in her hands. That’s the type of person she was.

My mom was a very smart, beautiful, social, and kind human being. I’ve looked up to her and my dad, proud to have a mom like her. Some people at school or church would sometimes complain a little about how strict their mom was, and I would always brag, saying I had an easygoing mom.

She was so good with people. She meets strangers at work, at the mall, on the road, it doesn’t matter, but she would get them laughing in minutes. She would also get my friends to play games with her, which was really hard. I remember, there was a party, and her legs started hurting, so she decided not to go. I was tired, so I decided not to go either. My mom probably got 30 phone calls in just the first ten minutes. All her friends were asking her, where are you? Why aren’t you coming, I can give you a ride if you don’t have one. By the end of the hour, me and my mom were already at the party, and you could hear the adults laughing at my mom’s jokes from the basement.

My mom was also super smart. She would always make me sit with her and practice math. I would always get annoyed at the time, but I’m so thankful now. She had a very good memory. My dad told me how they went to have lunch with some old friends, and my mom brought some formula she learned back in high school. My dad and their friends had no idea what she was talking about, as they barely remembered what they learned in college. She also remembers the whole periodic table from seventh grade, which she taught me, and I forgot by the end of the week.

She always thought about us. Her friends, her kids, her family in Ethiopia. My aunt needed money to start a business, and my mom sent her money for it, even when she was sick. Every time she was in pain, or when she was tired, she would never show it until we were out of the room, thinking about us. Whenever her friends came to visit, she would talk and laugh with them, even when she didn’t feel like it.

My mom was an amazing person that everyone loved and we’ll all miss, but it’s better to know that she’s not suffering anymore and she’s in a better place. Mommy, I love you so much, and I promise I will try to be just as hard-working as you. May you rest in peace and love.