Jackie Matubia encourages people to show love to their parents before it’s too late
By Paulette Mboga, January 16, 2026Content creator and actress Jackie Matubia is urging people to show love to their parents before it’s too late, following the loss of her father last year.
The actress opened up about her grief and the lessons she has learned about valuing family while they are still alive.
“Love your parents loudly, hug them often. Tell them I love you without waiting for a special day,” Matubia wrote on Friday, January 16, 2026.
She said that even if family relationships are strained, a simple message can make a difference.
“Even if you are not on talking terms, just drop a text,” she added.
Matubia explained that the weight of losing a parent becomes real only after they are gone.
“Because when they’re gone, that’s when you truly understand the weight of having a mom or a dad,” she said.
She also offered comfort to those grieving.
“Our parents are in heaven, watching over us, proud of us, still loving us in ways we can’t see,” Matubia noted.
Grief and its hidden side
Last year, Jackie Matubia revealed her ongoing struggle with grief after her father passed away. A recent memory shared online by her brother triggered strong emotions, leaving her shaken and struggling with daily routines.
“Grief is something else; these past two days, I’ve barely been able to wake up to work, to even be present for my kids. It’s like my whole body just shut down,” she admitted.
She explained that her brother’s video of their late father left her “a wreck,” showing how even small reminders can bring back overwhelming emotions. Matubia highlighted a less visible side of grief, explaining that it does not always look like tears. “
People don’t talk enough about this side of grief, how it doesn’t always look like crying every day; sometimes it just numbs you completely,” she said.
Despite the pain, Matubia remains determined to heal slowly and intentionally.
“You sit there staring, unable to do anything, feeling like you’re frozen in time. That’s where I’ve been,” she shared, describing the paralysing effect grief can have.
She concluded with a message of perseverance, saying, “I keep reminding myself one day at a time, one breath at a time. I’m still here, still standing, still breathing.”