Never to be forgotten….!
“Ah-yoooh! Aunty Mommie…!” I hear your voice ring in ears, with that “boyish” of yours!
“Uncle Chrisss!” I would reciprocate with the warmth that your voice sends across.
Hmmm… I did not know that things were not going to be the same when in August 2019, your dear wife, and my sister, Abasiama, flew into Lagos to represent you at my 60th birthday. And then you called to say “Aunty mummie, much as I would have loved to, am so sorry that I cannot be at your special birthday. I need to be here in Abuja to take care of this little man, David, as he must be in school. Also, I really don’t feel too strong, but I will be fine.”
I remember saying “Oo-oh! I will miss your presence! But that’s okay, I totally understand because David-U really needs someone around the home these 2 days.” In your usual kind and polite manner, you thanked me for my understanding and said, “Don’t forget to send my cake ooo”.
Uncle Chris, as he was fondly called by his nephews and nieces; a name tag the whole family - young and old happily - adopted, was until his home-calling a very dear brother and friend to me personally and my family.
Never to be forgotten is your ever-boyish smile with a slight sway from side to side.
Never to be forgotten was your readiness and willingness to help out in any way, as long as it is the right thing to do and within your capacity.
Hmmm…! Never to be forgotten will be December 23, 2003 when you single-handedly arranged and facilitated the relocation of my children and I from FESTAC Town to Ikeja, Lagos, into our new home after my late husband, whom you fondly called “Uncle Marto” answered the call to glory.
Never to be forgotten were the uncountable sessions of counselling with my then teenage son in those early days when his father was no more. Your words of encouragement and the push to keep moving “my friend” as you would always call him. Those words of encouragement made huge impacts in his life and lives with the young man today and forever…!
Never to be forgotten were the days we had our joint family get-together every January 1st and your special requests was always “aunty mummie, don’t forget my edesi-isip” (i.e. coco-nut rice)! Haaa…! January 1, 2021 is round the corner…but again, never to be forgotten!
Never to be forgotten will be the long battles of the past 1 year 3 months that we (yourself, your dear wife and I) all fought gallantly as Christian warriors and soldiers of Jesus; we prayed, fasted, believed God for your healing.
And never to be forgotten would be my last prayer time and words of encouragement to you on October 8, 2020 at about 4:53pm (still on my call log). I recall after praying with you, I said: “Uncle Chris, remember that the family loves you and I particularly love you dearly”. You responded, “Yes, Aunty mommie”. And then you responded yet again with the last “Amen, yes… yes… yes!”
And then came that phone call at exactly 1:10 on that never to be forgotten afternoon of October 9, 2020, when your dear wife, my sister called and wailed “mommiee… Uncle Chris, mommiee… Uncle Chris … 1:05, 1:05, 1:05…!” Click…! the line went off. Just then, the Spirit of Grace Ministered to me that you had answered the call to glory at 1:05!” I, literarily shattered, broken and wept uncontrollably, but did not mourn like them that have no hope.
My, our favourite, ever bubbling Uncle Chris, the biker-man, “Okposong Owo” (meaning strong man in Efik dialet), we are encouraged with a knowing that we did not loose you. Jesus Christ fought, won, and conquered death. Where is thy sting, O Death? Rest on, my dear brother, until we meet again on that glorious Resurrection Morning to part no more and NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!
Deaconess Eno Martin-Eyo
Sister in-law