Charlene Porteous Henry and mother, Lellieth Porteous. - Contributed

Charlene Porteous Henry penned these words to her mom, Lellieth Porteous, for Mother's Day, but we say, today is as good as any day to say 'Thank you, Mom'.

Charlene wrote:

To the one who has supported, loved and cared for me through the years. As a child I did not understand why my mother had to discipline me, but as the years rolled by and I matured I realised that I needed every bit of spanking, reprimand and punishment I received.

My mother, a stay-at-home mom, ensured that my father, brother and I were well taken care of. She fixed meals, ironed clothes, cleaned the home (then a two bedroom house), maintained the yard and ensured that every bit of our characters were being moulded into characters of steel.

assigned chores

My brother and I, at the right age, were both assigned chores, to assist in development of our appreciation for the need to work and to be diligent.

We were always early for school, church and any other function we were to attend. We had to take pride in our attire and had to ensure that we were not dirty coming home from school. Our rooms had to be in order; beds had to be made, floors swept, bathroom cleaned and drawers neatly kept.

Usually, dinner was around our kitchen table. However, on Sundays we had to practise our table manners, knives and forks were put out, which we had to use, and our elbows were not to be on the table.

good manners

My mother was great at combing hair, and ensured that my hair was always neatly combed and I was well dressed. Respect for people and their property were of utmost importance to her. She always used to say "Howdy and tenk you nah bruk no square."

We had to greet every adult we encountered with either good morning, afternoon or night. Please, thank you and you're welcome were words we were all familiar with. She did not encourage borrowing, but if we had to, she ensured that it was always returned to the owner.

My mother did not only rear two children, she assisted in the upbringing of several of my cousins. During the summer, our house was usually filled with cousins from the country, America and sometimes London. We had fun then, she used to fill the ice tray with Kool Aid to make 'icy' for us, and also made 'suck suck' for us. She played jacks with us, and made several trips with us to the beach. Mom was strict, a disciplinarian, and what we would call miserable, when we could not have our own way. She was not overprotective, she allowed us to make our mistakes, so that we would learn.

My love for exercise can be attributed to the fact that, for as long as I can remember, my mother always thought it was important to exercise. She is also an ambassador for healthy lifestyle, always promoting and encouraging the practice of healthy living, being a pesca-vegetarian, and using mainly natural remedies for her illnesses.

Community outreach is my mother's passion, every day she gives breakfast and dinner to a mentally challenged man in her community. She provides clothes and shoes for those in need and loves to make others feel special. She visits and prays with the sick and elderly.

best friend and confidante

Do you need someone to listen, to pray and counsel with you? You can call on my mom. Do you need someone to tell you the truth, to laugh with, to follow you somewhere? Then you need my mom. Always willing to help and to share, that's my mom. She loves to entertain, and every Sabbath plays host to several of her brothers and sisters.

Having done so much for me as a child, my mother continues to do for me as an adult. My mom now helps to organise and keep my home and clothes clean and in order. She is my best friend and confidante, my adviser, and I honour her because she is royal.

Mom, I want to say thank you and that I love you, and I know sometimes I really hurt, disappoint or get on your last nerve, but I really love you with all my heart. You are my role model. Because of the sacrifices you have made, I am a better person and can now contribute to the good of our society. Mother, I can never repay you for all you have done, instead, I just want to be there to support, love and be the best daughter and friend you could ever have. I dedicate Proverbs 31 to you.