I grew up to be a branch of her tree.

A passionate member of the international community, my Mother has always displayed a strong interest in global culture including cuisine, language, customs, and artifacts. Not only did I grow up immersed in global and gourmet food, but also amongst the sounds of the world; in our car or kitchen. Sudanese, Eritrean, Ethiopian, and other North and Sub-Saharan African music, was just the tip of the musical iceberg. We were also exposed to American, Caribbean, Arabic, Mediterranean, European, Indian, Latin music, and many more that provided an experience very few children are lucky to have. With every new CD or cassette came a background of the artist and their home, information my Mother seemed to always know from memory.

I play music all day every day, and usually, it is the songs of my generation and styles that weren’t necessarily played at home. But every few days when I begin to really miss my Mother, I play the songs that bring her memory to the forefront of my mind. I’m sure my housemates wonder why I am playing Demis Roussos and Maxi Priest so loud in my room, but they do not understand that these songs take me back to cars in Texas and Mexico where my Mother would play them. I am taken back to listening to Abraham Afewerki and Teddy Afro in the backseat as my mother sang and danced along. I am back breaking down the lyrics and meaning in a Luis Miguel ballad or being told about the global force that is Miriam Makeba. From Sade to Billy Ocean, from Lionel Richie to Marvin Gaye, from El kabli to the mountain pipe flutes of Peru; they all trigger childhood memories of my Mother and the times we spent together. We were inseparable during my youth and I grew up to be a branch of her tree.

For the multitude of lessons learned, knowledge absorbed, and influences that still drive my life today; I love you, Mom. Thank you for all you do, have done, and will continue to do. Happy Mother’s Day!