I was in London one morning and the phone rang. It was Sylvester on the other end and he said “guess what”? I responded, “What”? “I know the children must have told you that they went to a birthday party for a little girl”, he continued. “No”, I replied. “Oh I thought they must have told you…you know children”. “What was special about that party”? I wondered, so I asked him who this little girl was. He said “a friend’s daughter”. “What friend?” I questioned, “Man or woman?” “Woman”, he replied, and then I sarcastically responded in Lamnso “Ta’v sin ayua”. Then it was the children’s turn to speak and they recounted all that was happening, and told me that they liked this aunty they went to visit, that she was very nice. I asked if their Dad told them to tell me that, and they said no. The next time Sylvester called he said to me, “I have seen this girl…I love her and want to marry her”. I was astounded, “just like that?” I asked. “I have been with her for a while. I know she is a nice girl, she makes me happy”, he responded, “Oh that’s nice…” I said, not meaning any word of it. That’s how you were introduced into my life and we started talking. But then I thought to myself, “if the children love her, she must be all that. I am not there to see for myself and cannot stop him, so I may go for it as well”. I sent you a greeting card and well wishes. Sylvester sent me photos taken during the wedding ceremonies, at the court house. I was happy to see the photo of Sylvester, you-Regi, Maggie, Mariam and Charles. Sylvester called to tell me how the wedding went, and said he took Charles to Bali Kumbat for the knockdoor. “Is he not too young for that” I asked, and said responded in Lamnso “No, DzemYen”, and I said “ok”. And honestly I have seen so much since then. When Sylvester came to see me in London, he asked me to go out for a special shopping for my “small sister”. I turned around and looked into his face, “are you serious,” I asked in amazement. “Yes” he replied, so out we went, shopping for you until we were dead tired. Sylvester returned home to Cameroon and shortly after he fell sick, taken to Germany and then to London, where he died. We took the corpse home and Mr. SS Shang and Rev. Fr. Clement Ndze and others accompanied us from Douala to Limbe. When we got to the house, a nice young lady with tears in her eyes hugged me, I turned to look, and it was you, Regi. Even though I had never seen you before, there and then I knew, for the first time, that it will be well with us, you and me. From that day you were always by my side. After burial you went back to Buea. On my way back to London I came to spend the night with you and little Ben in your house in Buea and when I returned from London finally, I visited you in Bafousam. When I entered your house, I saw the card I had sent to you during your wedding to Sylvester. It was standing on your table. To me, it was a sign that you are truly my sister, just as Sylvester had told me. Because you kept me in mind, for that, I always called you Mrs. Kilo with love. You visited with me whenever you could, and I did likewise. You know I’ll miss you. Mrs. Kilo, Rest In Perfect Peace. God Bless You From “NDIA” – Big Sister Mrs. Johana Kubong Kilo

The whole world could not have imagined how I felt, when dad died. I was alone, abandoned, even ending up in the hospital. It was my turn, it was my turn. Dad no longer talked of the "big girls" it was just me and the kids, Valerie and Lynda. He spoilt us, A LOT. Life was perfect just for a short while and then he disappeared. When you arrived Bamenda for burial, you came up to me and gave me the message. It was a message to me from Dad. And you delivered it. Dad did not keep his promise then, but I know through you that he died thinking of me. You told me how proud he was for what I had accomplished and that he would keep his promise. You helped to mend a little girl's broken heart. I loved you from then, forever. Whenever I miss dad, I remember his message that you gave me, and know that he is always with me. And you know what? That promise he did keep. Yes he did.Thank you mommy Regi, for making me feel so special all these years. Sylvia Clarice Kilo Odupitan

“Auntie Reggie” – THANK YOU!

 Dear, Mommy “Auntie Reggie”,

Thank you for that phone call.  I now understand fully what everything meant; even the unspoken and I want you to know that I am grateful and thankful and accept that you are gone.  I am not going to ask too many questions.  May God’s will be done, not ours.   

When your call came, it was anonymous and contrary to my nature, I picked it. How providential!  In so many ways, that call has helped me to accept your death.  God took over from then on….  Now I understand and all will be well.  Mommy “Auntie Reggie”, may your path to heaven be as peaceful as your life. 

Yaah wo Shusum, would recall how we first met you.  We were happy to have another mommy, especially if it made Daddy happy and if mommy Johana was OK with the whole idea, and she was. You and Daddy gave us our baby brother (BB - as I fondly call Bernard Kilo) and then like a candle in the wind, Daddy was gone- vanished!.  Now you too are gone.  It is OK - We accept God’s will.  You raised BB to be a fine young man.  He now has a wife, and is father to two beautiful sons!

I remember the family in Maryland making the 13 hours’ drive from Bowie to Atlanta to celebrate the birth of BB’s first son. What a reunion!  Our BFU Atlanta family was there as usual to celebrate with us as one big family.  We made it back to Maryland after so much love and excitement and another 13 hours on the road.  It was all worth it.  Those memories we will forever cherish.

Your job is done and may your path to heaven be straight and your welcome joyful, where Daddy and all the other departed Kilo family angels will be there to welcome you. 

What a peaceful exit!  Fare thee well mommy “Auntie Reggie”, and do not forget to intercede for lasting peace and unity for the Kilo clan.   

Bye-bye. Adieu. Ghan kijung.

Mariam (Mary Anne) Kilo