Fatima Ezzahra Oakid, 18, Settat

How can a person be the reason of life, the source of inspiration and the lighthouse when storms take over the whole world? She could. Piece by piece, she collected me up when life shattered every corner of my soul; she taught me how to be free and never bow down my head. My mother is made of a sequence of sacrifices from the day she gave birth to my little body, which had been nurtured through her blood, protected by her bones and covered by her skin. I always wondered if she ever recognized that she smells like heaven, that her palms are my favorite pillows, that I have never been proud of something more than my resemblance to her, and that I love my eyes not only because they're like hers, but also because they see thanks to her light. She taught me to be unapologetically, freely and confidently me, she never puts a cage to protect me, but rather she destroys every cage in which I hide in my coward moments, and lifts me high with her tender hands. She's the one who put the "her" in "hero" for me. I look up to her because she's the one who founded me, who put the first brakes of kindness, freedom and self-confidence to build this soul of mine.

We’ve been in several ups and downs together in our relationship, just like any other… Or maybe not, because she has the magic to turn every stressful situation between us into a beautiful memory. She doesn’t work outside the house. However, she does inside the hearts of every family member; she shows us that there is good in the world, and that we must be that good, spreading the love she gave us into every corner we go to, and brightening up the roads of people who may not know a lot about the power of love.

And when everything seems to fall apart, she stand tall just like a hero, no she is actually a hero; the first and greatest one I’ve ever believed in, she said that life is going to be harder, that it’s supposed and designed to be so, and that I am strong, beautiful and blessed enough to live and not just exist. And every time life knocks me down, I remember that if my mother has survived all this time; even though she had to go through every hard situation I could imagine. Then, surely I will survive, reflect the light

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she keeps giving me, and remind my body of the origin of the blood in its veins, of every cell in its skin; mother.

I almost owe her every quality I own, especially patience; the patience when nothing works out, when people do me wrong and when it seems that my prayers weren’t answered. I know motherhood is tough and tiring, but she was always the best example of a mother for me, and I learned from her how to set in myself an example for others, by working and focusing on my own personality. She let me dream, expanded my naïve imagination and strengthened my belief in love and empathy, and she was with me whenever I achieved one the dreams I keep telling her about over and over, but most of all, she stands right by my side, when some of my dreams seem way out of reach than I expected, and she makes me feel grateful for the obstacles as well as the blessings.

Finally, I’d like to highlight the fact that she had always pushed me to learn, and never stop learning and chasing for opportunities... including this one I’m writing to.

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