I took a position to release the shutter, then my eyes signal an object to my cognitive process. I looked properly. It was a lizard. Ever since I began the biz of releasing the shutter, I’ve been on the lookout for something unique to capture. It was beneath a cave, looked like it was coming out. Some green grasses around given it a nice viewpoint. Then I waved my hand to scare it. Like many tetrapoda reptiles, the lizard should at least be scared into running away. But this one stayed. I waved again, no reaction.
Then I looked at it again, it’s in the process of lying eggs. Wow! This will make a good landscape, I thought. Quickly I engaged my camera for some shots. In the process, many things began to jostle for my thought process. First, the thought of mum came in. How was it like when I was conceived by her?, I asked myself. The process of delivery would probably stress her to the point that she no longer feared any danger. At that stage, It seems, the only focus was on the ultimate goal; delivery.
I ruminate over her sufferings just to see us have fairly good life. I thought of the day she was soaked by heavy downpour on her way from the market. She almost bagged an award for borrowing just to fend for her children. I remember the spiritual challenges she faced, that almost pushed her out of her matrimonial home. But in all of this, she would look at us, her children, and say, “I will rather die for you people than run away in the face of challenges”. Awww!
I looked at the lizard again; an egg is halfway out of its cloacal opening. I can imagine the pain it’s going through. My wife came to mind; someday she will be drenched in this sort of pain. It’s not going to be easy, but I know she’s got the strength to carry on. I remember a day she was down with severe stomach ache. While discussing afterwards, I teased her, “this one that you are this pained, how would pregnancy and delivery be?” She beamed some smiles and responded, “Keeping a stern focus on the result would naturally ease the stress. If I’m going through pain, let me know that it’s for something good”.
But this Lizard reminds me of mothers spread across the globe who have gone, or are going, through unexplainable and unfathomable, yet joyous pains for their children. Observing, as the lizard covered the eggs, protecting them from predators, I can’t help but reflectively sober through the height mothers will go to protect their child(ren).
God bless our mothers.
– Alabi John
jollyfromgod@gmail.com
