Mom, Eze Nwanyi (A woman who is a king) truly describes my Mom. She was a father, a mother, a sister, a friend, a mentor, a leader, a counselor and ,many other things to a whole lot of people including her children. She survived the Biafra war with eight of her children and a ton of other children under her care and she brought us all home safely back to Port Harcourt after the war.   Mom worked tirelessly to raise eight children and a ton of others under her care. Mom was a mother to so many not just in Port Harcourt, but all over Nigeria. I had to give her a nick name. (Area Mother).   I could write a book from all the times I sat behind the piano as a child listening to countless number of wives, husbands, children and others who came to Mom seeking advice on family and relationship issues. She always stood on the right side of an issue no matter who she was dealing with. I remembered an aunt who came with an Italian husband and introduced him to Mom. Mom was very happy for my aunt since she had been through rough times and finally has found a nice Italian man who would take care of her. A few months after, my aunt was pregnant and had a baby.

The Italian, came crying to Mom, "Mama mi ya, baby blackie blackie"- the baby was as black as can be with no resemblance to the Italian man. Mama went off on my auntie who tried to convince her to look at the baby's eyes, and nose that they look like the Italian man. Mom screamed, "iruru ala (you have committed an abomination) I am so disappointed in you." She pleaded with the Italian man to have mercy and forgive my aunt for her actions.   Mom was a disciplinarian. I remembered getting in trouble in school and had an option to either have the principle notify Mom or have me cut and trim our foot ball field. I opted to cut and trim the football field because I dare not face Mom.    She was also very funny. I remembered when she came to visit when my son was born. She watched how I interacted with my husband and she said to my husband. "Jide my son you have suffered. You know the wine your people brought for her dowry is still under my bed, I  did not want to drink it in case your people do return to sender. I am keeping it in case you decide to return her because this girl is crazy." , I also remembered chatting with her and discussing how carefree I was and I was huffing and puffing about not worrying about anything. in life, and the fact that I do not allow anything to bother me as such, I am free from high blood pressure, expecting to her to say, that's a good thing my daughter it is not good to worry yourself to death. Rather, Mom said " shut up!, idiot! it is because everybody else is worrying about you and your issues and handling them for you that's why you have nothing to worry about.   Mom was very sophisticated and polished. She was highly fashionable. We all remember her phrase " O' GO? (Does it match?) when she want;s to go out, she will pull her shoes, clothing and hand bags and she will ask, O' GO?  I remembered my lessons on table manners. She would say "Aina, never you put your elbows on the table in a formal dinner. You must always wait for everyone on your table to be served before eating. She would often say to me "Learn not to overstay your welcome"   Gosh, I will certainly miss her. She was larger than life, a woman of substance, grace and dignity. She served the Lord with all her heart and might. She taught me a great lesson on humility. Despite her status in the society, Mom swept her church on a regular basis. I remembered asking her why she would do such a demeaning work in church and she said to me my daughter " you do not know how many blessings I have received from the Lord from just sweeping the church. Out of all that I do, This is the most fulfilling and I am grateful for the opportunity.   I have no doubt about Mom's where about.  I know that she is resting in the bosom of the Lord and loving every minute of it. I will surely miss her. So long for a life well spent. Eze Nwanyi,  I love you.     Joyce Rogers Halliday