I’ll always love my mama.
She’s my favorite girl.
I’ll always love my mama.
She brought me in this world.
Those words are a snippet from a song written in 1973 by R&B group The Intruders. Today the words have extraordinary meaning.
It’s my mother’s birthday!
On this day, in the midst of remembrance, I celebrate my favorite “girl” — Mrs. Eleazar Hines Bell — who would have been 88 years old.
While I miss her miserably, I reminisce on her robust laughter, sweet yet, stern personality, quick wit, flair for fashion, love for basketball, culinary skills and brutal honesty – even when it meant stepping on toes.
Heart disease took my mother too soon.
Like many African Americans, she also had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Though she ate lots of fruits and vegetables, mom got little exercise. Hence, her cardiovascular system held up as long as it could before collapsing.
It was a good fight.
Her death, in fact, birthed my love of fitness. Shortly after her passing, I became a certified fitness professional. Now 21 years later, I still honor mom’s memory when I teach fitness classes, conduct workshops or connect with thousands via Qcitymetro.
It’s been a great ride. So much so that I’m not ready to hang up my sneakers. I can’t because there are still many obese children, obese adults and other health disparities, especially in minority communities.
I know I can’t save everyone.
But Mom taught me to believe that I can. And that resilience keeps me going, even when I can’t see immediate results.
And for that, I’ll always love my mama.
Happy Birthday!
Until next time, I wish you wellness and joy!
Fitness expert Sondra E. Z. Hines, is an AFAA certified Group Fitness Instructor, Zumba instructor, workshop presenter and motivational speaker. A former Adjunct Professor, she has 15+ years’ experience in the health industry, presenting at local, regional and national events. A freelance writer, her column is published each Wednesday on Qcitymetro.com. Follow her on Twitter
