Mama!!!! You know I love you always
Mama!!! I took it for granted that you would always be here, to talk with, laugh with, fight with, make up with, and all the other things that we do together that make our shared history so rich and unforgettable. Words just seem so inadequate right now. You play so many roles , I will write about just a few;
Mother: I do not know if there was ever a child more loved than I have been. I have always been able to count on your presence, support, sacrifices, and advice. You believed the best of me always and so I took it as a duty to make you proud of me and never have you worry about me. I remember every time I said I wanted to lose weight; you would just tell me to pray over the food and trust God. I would laugh and tell you that I didn’t think that would work and I actually need to do my part by eating right and exercising. I have often said that I could not have pursued a career in banking, especially with the intensity that I did without your constant presence and support. Every one of my three children grew up in your arms. I could leave them and sleep and you would stay up all night if necessary, just so that I was comfortable. I never had to worry about leaving them with a nanny alone because you were there and brooded over them like the mother hen that you are.
Growing up with you was fun. You have been my only parent since I was nine years old and you did an excellent job even if I say so myself. Despite your limited resources, we lacked for nothing and you always put us first. I remembered how you took me to school in Ikot-Ekpene when I started secondary school, that was my first time of being away from you for such long periods. I can confirm that you are still the best cook that I know. As for your sense of style, totally classic, you could make the most ordinary outfit look beautiful just because of your elegance.
Friend: I could tell you more things than even my friends. You never judged me but believed the best and offered wise counsel. All my close friends felt comfortable in your presence and I often had to remind them that you were my mother and not theirs, but you had enough love for everyone. I have had the pleasure of listening to my friends’ recollections of their relationships with you. There have even been arguments about how many “Children” we should list as everyone feels somehow like your child.
Grandma: After some time, we all called you grandma. I know that your grandchildren – Ayomikun, Fikun, and Bukunmi will miss you dearly. Who will save them from me when they have been naughty? Bukunmi would always sneak to sleep in your room when you came over to visit because she loved to snuggle up and gist about everything and nothing. I really don’t know how you listened with such patience. Your toaster- Fikun, what will he do without you? Fortunately he has stopped being naughty so all is good. As for Ayomikun, he was always so protective of you, he’s had the benefit of your presence the longest. He would threaten to report me to you whenever we disagreed on something
Child of God: I think of you skipping along happily in heaven and I smile. I know Abba is happy to welcome you home. You had enduring faith and believed that nothing was impossible. In recognition of what Abba has done for you and in you, you re-named yourself “favour”. I can confirm that you were indeed favored. As a young woman of 39, you lost your husband and yet you brought up 3 daughters incident free. You prayed tirelessly and would watch so many pastors preach on TV asides from regular church services. Perhaps the best testament to your enduring faith was how much of yourself you put into helping others. I have heard so many stories these last two weeks from family and friends of how much impact you made in their lives. I hope you know how special you were to so many people and that you made a difference.
Someone told me to comfort myself with the knowledge that I will see you in Heaven. I wish you had stayed to celebrate my 50th birthday, your 80th birthday, Bukunmi’s wedding too- you promised!!! I am glad that you were there to see me grow up, get married, have children, and attend even my graduation in February for my doctorate. If there was another life, I would ask for you as my mother again and again.
I love you so very much and will miss you. I thank God for all the years that we spent together.
Your loving daughter, Adeolaolamiposi Ogunyemi