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My Mother Helped Me Complete My Life's Puzzle
Life, much like a puzzle, consists of pieces that represent different aspects of who we are:
- Education
- Career
- Relationships
- Success and failure…
For me, these pieces didn’t always fit together easily.
I remember it was April 1st when my father’s friend visited us with devastating news: my father had passed away during a trip to the island. We thought it was a joke, given the day, and even laughed it off, telling him it was before 10 AM and that he was playing an early April Fool’s prank. But the truth sank in soon enough.
At 10 years old, life changed for me. My mother, who had always been a housewife, took on a new role—she became a dressmaker to provide for her seven children. She started by cutting patterns from newspapers, and piece by piece, she stitched together beautiful dresses that soon attracted customers.
A Mother’s Dedication
Before every Christmas, I would watch her work tirelessly, day and night. She wasn’t just making dresses—she was making sure we had enough to go to school, to keep our lives moving forward.
Her perseverance inspired me. I worked hard at school, determined to pass my exams and join a government school. Despite being a quiet child, I surprised everyone by reciting poetry during assemblies.
“I can still recall one of the poems I recited back then…”
This confidence grew over time, and later, many were shocked to learn that I had spent over 10 years working in radio. The quiet child now had a voice loved by listeners.
Radio and Art: My Lifelong Companions
Even as my mother worked with other tailors, I’d bring my radio to listen while she sewed, despite the noisy machines around us. Drawing and listening to the radio became my sanctuary. Though I can’t draw much anymore, I’ve come to understand that journalism is its own form of art, just like the dresses my mother made.
Growing up, our house was filled with radios and music gear, thanks to my father’s love for music. I could test microphones, choose a station, and imagine myself as a broadcaster.
The Path to Journalism
After high school, I had a choice: study education or pursue mass communication. A close friend, like a sister to me, encouraged me to follow my passion for radio. “Your voice is unique,” she said, “and I can’t imagine you as a teacher.” I took her advice, and it led me to where I am today.
Today, I work for the BBC. When I was in university, I once said, “I will work for the national radio station, TBC, and international media like the BBC.” I’m proud to say I achieved that, with five years at TBC and over seven years with the BBC.
Completing My Puzzle
As I work on my feature stories today, I think of my mother, piecing together fabric for her beautiful dresses. I do the same when I take hours of recordings and craft them into a three-minute story that touches people’s hearts.
She passed away just before I joined university, but she left me the tools to fix my own life’s puzzle.
