Happy birthday dad, I wish and still hoping you will be here. May your peaceful soul rest in perfect peace. Papa i wish you were alive to see how much your family have grown and progress in life and most importantly towatch me get married by walking me down the aisle, I guess I can't question God why but I guess things happens for a reason. Goodbye dad until we meet again,please watch over your family and keep us a special place next to you. ADIEU DAD
this picture was taken when you visited cameroon to buried your late brother PA ROBINSON.on that day your garnd children fell sick and they were admitted in the hospital after so thier mother took them back to limbe after your brother,s burial you visited them in thier home and this picture was taken you had this kid in mind so much u could not stay longer in kumba you had to go see them ,they will really miss you, espaecialy your favourite grand daughter KELLY that you always make sure she is fine and give her your best like what a father will do for his grand child
may your rest in peace
good bye
this picture was taken when you visited cameroon to buried your late brother PA ROBINSON.on that day your garnd children fell sick and they were admitted in the hospital after so thier mother took them back to limbe after your brother,s burial you visited them in thier home and this picture was taken you had this kid in mind so much u could not stay longer in kumba you had to go see them ,they will really miss you, espaecialy your favourite grand daughter KELLY that you always make sure she is fine and give her your best like what a father will do for his grand child
may your rest in peace
good bye
this picture was taken when you visited cameroon to buried your late brother PA ROBINSON.on that day your garnd children fell sick and they were admitted in the hospital after so thier mother took them back to limbe after your brother,s burial you visited them in thier home and this picture was taken you had this kid in mind so much u could not stay longer in kumba you had to go see them ,they will really miss you, espaecialy your favourite grand daughter KELLY that you always make sure she is fine and give her your best like what a father will do for his grand child
may your rest in peace
good bye
this picture was taken when you visited cameroon to buried your late brother PA ROBINSON.on that day your garnd children fell sick and they were admitted in the hospital after so thier mother took them back to limbe after your brother,s burial you visited them in thier home and this picture was taken you had this kid in mind so much u could not stay longer in kumba you had to go see them ,they will really miss you, espaecialy your favourite grand daughter KELLY that you always make sure she is fine and give her your best like what a father will do for his grand child
may your rest in peace
good bye
papa i know that where ever you are,your listening to me i have always love and admire your way of life you lead a good life while on earth you were a man of good heart and GOD will reward you aboundantly well papa i wish to tell you what happen to me before i hard about your sudden death ,on the 16 that is a tuesday you send me a message asking me to look for time and go to limbe and get you the print out from the bank and i promise to do so that same day mami called me and asked me how am doing i told her am doing fine and i told mami that i saw both you and mami,s picture that you guys were putting on your CPDM watch and cap with a t shirt that we send to you people and i told mami that she is taking good care of you beacuse of the way you were looking srtong and fresh that same day me and MARIE we went for bible studies and that ended at about 8pm my phone went of and my charger got bad too so i was unable to connect my self so i came online at about 11pm a meet shielar on line we chated until she left me n went to bed i send to you an offline message and in your email little did i know you have already gone the next day i went to school my phone still off .when i enter the class after about some few minute one of my friend call MARIE and told her she should come and meet him in the house and i was the one who answer the called i was so worrried because his voice sounded as if something has happen after some few minute i called him my self and asked him what is wrong with him he told me that nothing and thay we should come see him very fast after i insisted to know why she should leave calss and come see him he said sheilar is very sick so MARIE and i should go to limbe and take her to the hospital i become more scare so OLIVIA called me and ask me what was happening in southwest i told her i dont know and i ask if something has happen to shielar she should tell me but she drop the call after some few minute one of our family friend from kumba called me while i was still in calss she ask me why is shielar,s number not going through just because she wanted to know if i ahve heard about it but i told her i dont know that am in class so i try to find ou from her what was going on and she said nothing after some time she called me and told me that she just spoke with sheilar i was abit relive so i told MARIE that we should go so we both left the calss and took a taxi to the bus station where we took a bus to limbe when i got at the park we took a bike and we drop at the gate i saw people seating infront of the house i was asking MARIE how come SHEILAR is sick and there a many people in the compund what is happning her too she was so confused whe we both reach the house to enter the parlour i saw SALLY andSHEILAR on the floor crying then i asked who is dead they refuse telling my and that i should seat down so i tell them if they dont talk i will not seat too so as they were holding me i hard it PAPA i could not believe i start crying i could not believe because we both spoke and i send you a reply PAPA you have left a very big wound in my heart and i dont know who will ever filled it from the time i heard about your death, i first thought of my graduation on how me and you have paln for my garduation and how you have promise me to give me the best because am amking you proud in school since has GOD has decided to take you away from me i will always called you PAPA no body csn ever be like you since i entered the UNIVESITY you have provide to me all my need and make sure am comfortable till my last year that you have paln to make me the best graduation ever and i also promise you to make you happy for the good things you have done in my life you have been the only one you and my mother who ahve been there for me since from the time i entered UNIVERSITY and you always advice me to stay away from bad thing that is things that will not help me in life and i follw your advice each time i scan my result and send to you,i see joy and happines in you beacuse all your money you haven been spending om me did not go in vain and i want to amke to you this last promise i will make it in this my last year and i will gradute from the university papa i promise you that, i will make mami very pround and i will be there for her i will make her see joy and happiness all the time as you ahve been doing to her
PAPA goodbye
from your daughter ATABONG ,ATABS OR MAMA
AS YOU ALWAYS CALLED ME ATABS I MISS THAT YOUR SWEET AND LOVELY VOICE WHEN EVER YOU CALLED ME THAT ATABONG I KNOW YOU WANT TO SHOUT AT ME BUT WHEN YOU SAY ATABS I KNOW GOOD THING IS AROUND I WILL ALWAYS REMEBER YOU
By Asonglefac Nkemleke
SLOWLY, VERY SLOWLY: IN REMEMBRANCE OF NKEMAJONG FIDELIS TAJONG. Slowly, very slowly, the whispers turned to loud exclamations. Phone calls and text messages grew in number; reminding one that we now live in the 21st Century… the age of technology. As the whispers grew, as the phone calls and text messages increased, a new reality was dawning on family members, the people of Lewoh and Lebialem, Cameroonians at home and in the Diaspora, friends, and acquaintances. But what was the buzz all about? Well, bad news they say spreads like wild fire. This sudden, unexpected news from New York City in the United States of America was no different: Ndi Nkemajong, Fidelis Mofor Tajong was no more! I first met Mofor, as he was then called, at Saint John’s Catholic School, Fotabong I. He was a quiet pupil, as I knew him; but very hard working. But I soon left R.C. M. Fotabong I for Victoria (Limbe) on my way to Saint Joseph’s College, Sasse. Intermittently, during the long holidays, we would meet back in Lewoh. But more often than not, I saw very little of him until one day in Victoria, we met again. He was now a grown man, married, and working as a teacher. He had a passion for sports, especially football (soccer); eventually becoming a referee. Our interactions in Victoria were few and far apart: but we met at least once every month at my late father-in-law’s (Pa James Foletia) house in Newtown; where a financial contribution (njangi or achup) usually took place. At the time, I lived and worked in Buea, and he in what had become Limbe. When I returned permanently in 1991 to live at Mile Four, Bonadikombo and work at Radio Buea, Fidelis had also moved to Mile Four. A committed family and community man, Fidelis was actively involved in Lewoh, and by extension, Nweh-Mundani matters. We attended and participated in Lewoh and Lebialem meetings religiously; never staying away because we were conscious that only by belonging and participating would we be able to help consolidate relationships between and among our Lebialem Community. We migrated eventually (though separately) to the United States with that community spirit deeply ingrained in us. Even though we lived in different cities, he in New York and I in the Washington, D. C. Metro Area modern communication gadgets allowed us to always exchange ideas on how best to serve our community. On the last weekend of October 2011, Nkemajong and his better half, Esther came to visit family and friends in the Metro Area. At the wake keeping for one of our departed mothers at the Oxford Events Center, Nkem and wife joined many of us that evening, straight from New York. For those of us from Victoria (Limbe) that occasion was a great reunion: we sat together through the wake keeping, reminiscing and sharing fun memories of our days in Victoria. The next evening he was in attendance at the LECUDEM-USA Washington, D.C. Metro Area monthly meeting where, when given the floor, did not hesitate to encourage one and all to be and remain an active member of not just the Lewoh Meeting, but also and above all, the Lebialem General Meeting (LECDA-USA). Three weeks have now gone by since that day of wrath when Nkemajong, Fidelis Mofor Tajong was so unsuspectingly snuffed from our midst, “like a candle in the wind”, as musicians would tell us. On the last weekend of February (the 24th through the 25th), we will congregate in New York to remember him, celebrate his short live with us, and bid him farewell to the “good old country”, Cameroon. As we remember him, as we seek to understand why a man would leave home to work and never return to be with his loved ones, let us comfort ourselves with the knowledge that we are sojourners here. As we are born, so shall we go one day, somehow. But let us also be reminded by the words of Jerome P. Crabb: “Dying is like coming to the end of a long novel---you only regret it if the ride was enjoyable and left you wanting more.” Fidelis was a good man, a caring husband, an inspiring father, a great friend and/or acquaintance. We enjoyed his company and would have loved to have him with us much longer. But, the Maker’s ways are not our ways. And so it is only now that we see the program of his journey back to Cameroon and to the land of his ancestors that we are accepting the reality that Ndi Nkemajong, is, indeed no more. As we regret his departure without a word of goodbye, as we remember what a personality he was, as we share stories of how we came to know and love him, now is the time to do our own introspection: examination, examination, let us examine ourselves whether we are in the Lord. For, whatever we do, however we live our lives here (on earth) we must remember each and every day that being good to and towards each other is the best way to go. In so doing, we will comfort ourselves with the simple but true fact that there is no control-alt-delete button in our stay here. We can only make sure that we forgive each other their trespasses, as He who knows everything, forgives us. Once we knew a man, once we had a brother, a father, a friend, an acquaintance, yes, once we had a husband…but he was taken away from us when we needed him most. The drums of Legweh and Lewoh, the gongs and sacred musical instruments of Lebialem will accompany our hoarse and strained voices as we ululate and sing the dirge in remembrance of a selfless son of our beloved land. But as you go, dear friend and brother know that the entire Lebialem and Cameroonian community join your nuclear family in regretting your sudden demise. Rest in Perfect Peace as slowly, very slowly, we find the courage to accept your absence; and the fortitude and strength to pick up the pieces and continue this Earthly Journey! Asonglefac Nkemleke.I REMEMBER YOU TOLD ME ON 1/15/12 THAT I SHOULD TAKE U A PICTURE ON THAT SUNDAY WITH YOUR C.P.D.M SHIRT THAT I SHOULD SAVE IT AND KEEP IT FOR MEMORIES LITTLE DID I KNOW U WERE GOING TO LEAVE US JUST LIKE THAT..WHY PAPA WHY
dad, i remember the day i took these picture, you ask to to snap you guys, in which i did, not only dis one so many of them,, i will never forget you father
dad, i remember the day i took these picture, you ask to to snap you guys, in which i did, not only dis one so many of them,, i will never forget you father
Dad, that peaceful sunday we went to the airport to see you off ,when we got there,u check inn, and came back out side smiling with all of us there,after we knew you have gone, with GOD and his powers, after an hr,you came out side trying to call my mother,in which i saw you ,and i ask papa na wati?you reply mamaa, are no no me,dis kind thing never ever happen i started crying, untill we have to pass the night in Douala, that peaceful morning we both went to AIR FRANCS airline, they gave us a seat, and you said to me mamaa ,i need to go back to USA ur mother would be very worry and i reply papa you and that your love Esther Tajong,we booked your flight.At 7pm that same day, we went to the Airport, just two off us papa just the two off us,you called me shellar,i answer papa, you said take good care of your self and Atabong and remember i love you, i started crying ,you kissed me and hold me ,saying goodbye my mamaaa,wehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh papa why?why?i came back home with fever all niight,till at about 12.noon my mother called and told me take the phone and talk to your husband,how happy i was that day,till the last day you pass on, on that Tuesday you called me,asking me to go somewere and give you reply on wednesday,,in which that same wednesday,i got the sadest news ever in my whole life about the death of the husband,my father, i pass out three times not knowing whats is happening, May the good Lord protect you on you way to heaven, i will keep praying for you papa,i promise,were ever you are, angels will protect you ,Rest in peace my husband,its still a dream to me, untill i see that your lovely face before i will belive the sad new, I LOVE YOU, Shellar Tajong, bye my Husband
papa, i remembered the day you came to kumba to see me and esther told you i was at school. you left money and told who ever that was home to asked me to meet you in limbe immediately. i rushed and packed my bags and came as you instructed. you took us all to yaounde (myself,Geraldine, Amin, Sylvie and Mami ). you did not let us know why we were in yaounde. we all were so young and coundn't figured what was happening. You finally told me we are relocated to the United States of America (New York).
You have been there for all of us even when you used to come and go back to cameroon for the past few years. when you finally made the decision to stay here with us, we all were so happy that you will be with the family. You always text or call to find out how i am doing in school. it was always a pleasure talking to you and you always gives good advices.
it was just few days before you left us, i said to you we should organize a family reunion becuase most of us here have not seen our family memebers especially those that are back home. I even said to you it has been a long time since we left cameroon and i will like to meet other tajongs family memebers in cameroon. papa you were so impressed about my ideas, you said it would be great if we all could meet as family after a long time. few weeks later, you did a family tree and i believed you forwared it to every member in the family. i dont know if this is the family meeting you have finally called for the family to meet in cameron. Only if i could question God right now. I wanted you to be part of this meeting physically and not spiritually. the day that you left us, by far has been one of the worst nightmare i am still to wake up on. i go to sleep each night with tears and wakes up inthe same conditionn just to hope this is all a joke. sometimes i seat in class and all i could think of is how good an humbled you were to us. the day you left us, you texted me and all you said on that text was "thank you for the package",who should have known that was your last words to me.
when sylvie called me on february 17 at about 530 pm i was sleeping and did not hear my phone ring. I woke up after hearing stanley and uncle Alex on the phone runing up and down. I ran to the living room and Geraldine was with me. Stanley said to us, myself and geraldine to get ready we are going to the city. i immediately said who is dead out of nowhere i had this bad feelings my heart was pumping so fast i could barely stand straight. While i was getthing ready, Geraldine keeps saying "its about papa, it about papa " she was crying while saying that. i asked her what about him she had no idea what was goin on the home phone couldn't stop ringing meanwhile it was amin screaming on the phone and i could barely hear her. I called sylvie she did not answer. we all got in the car and drove so fast this by far was the fasted driving i have ever done in my life. only God knows how he got us to the hopsital safe becuase everyone in the car was nevous and no one was taking to anyone. when we got to the hospital Uncle alex said to me and Geraldine to wait in the car for him to go in first and see what is going on before we could come in. I sat in the car for over 20min at Columnia presbyterian hopsital and uncle Alex still was not coming out. suddenly a security office came and asked if i was part of the tajongs family i said yes. He then instructed me to pack the car at a handicap packing. I immediately was unable to even asked him why am i packing here i do not have a handicap sticker. He said its ok just leave the car there and come inside. myself and Geraldine went inside and papa was looking like he was in a comma. Sylvie immediately said to me "nicole look at papa is gone"..Oh lord i was confused,my whole body was weak and i was short of word. the shock that i got i for a minute i coudn't breathe
papa i know that you are in a better place and please extend my greetings to Pa ambrose and beatrice Tajong and also, grandpa, grandma and the rest of those who has gone before us.
The day you were gone. Icame back from work at 1pm i was home and called your phone at 1:30pm i spoke to you and the words u said to me was yes Nkeng i am good,i ate my food you prepare for me and i drank my water too, i will see you home after work. i then said ok papa see you at home. I went to bed that afternoon and got up at 5pm mami was home she ask me were are u i said i dont knw i then called your phone youdidnt answer, after few mins we heard the door bell from the cops saying is this mr fidelis tajong house , mami said yes and ask them why what happen ?they never answer and sat quiet i woke up from the couch and already started crying and saying yes thats my father please officer tell me what is happening to my dad, i took my phone and called my big sister amin and started crying on the phone i could barely talk she started screaming and asking me on what is going on i said papa is in the hospital she ask why i didnt reply. when the cops took mami and i to the hospital, once we reach there i could sense something was gone and my heart was pounding so hard my hands were shaking, the cops ask someone from the hospital if the patient is ok he said nope he is gone which means you were dead because i could read their sign language i started sobbing and crying my legs were all weak, mami was already on the floor confused i didnt know what to do. amin called again and scream at me to speak i couldnt i was screaming papa papa papa is gone ohh..i called uncle kenneth i called uncle eugine and sister irene, i said the same thing that papa is in the emergency ..when the doctor took us in the room where you was laying i thought at first you were in comma but i shake you scream lift your arms no answer you didnt wake up, the doctor said am sorry we lost him , i was confused i hold the doctor screaming that bring my father back after few mins i passed out on the floor until they took me on the hall to give me oxygen. I called uncle stanly to come and told him to tell dad in rockland that its an emergency .after mami and i cried until we didnt know what to do, uncle eugine came with brother paul; and his wife they all looking at you thinking you might wake up but u didnt you left us just like that papa that same night when we left you at the hospital, we were all home all family members and friends came home crying and creaming i looked at the door to see if you will walk in like you do when u return from work after all the plans me and u had.when nicole and geraldine came inside the room and saw you just laying there and not moving they all burst in tears screaming thats when i passed out a gain the second time papa were are you papa mami needs you.
Papa how could you be gone after i spoke to u that same day at 1.30 pm papa were are u hiding papa. mami needs you she cant do nothing now she feels empty she needs you more than anything papa, everyday she cried and wonder if you will ever return from the journey. Brother kenneth and sister Irene could not believe what i said on the phone they thought it was a joke but it wasnt, you broke everyone's heart with your death papa, we all love you and missed you papa , i missed the times we used to watch tv in the living room and watch nigerian movies and laugh, i missed calling you every morning to say good morning and to tell you my good results in school, you have motivates me so much to become a strong hard working woman and i will do as you say papa. I will make you happy and make mami gets the best treatments ever we all missed and love you papa please God if there was a way to wake my father up from that bed please do all you can papa .R.I.P FATHER
Letter to Uncle Fide from Irene Tajong
Hi Uncle Fide, I want to tell you what happened in the house the day you passed
Letter to Uncle Fide from Irene Tajong
Hi Uncle Fide, I want to tell you what happened in the house the day you passed
Baby Amin had begged Big Amin to take her outside for a stroll; the weather was really nice that day. Aka, Big and Small Amin were on their way out the door when the phone call came from Sylvie that police officers had come to the house and asked to take her and Sister Esther to the hospital. The officers would not say what happened to you just that you were in the hospital. Sister Esther is screaming, crying non-stop, Sylvie can barely talk. Big Amin is begging for Sylvie to say something that makes sense to her. I Called your phone, someone picked it up and I say “Uncle Fide, are you OK?” no response. I hang-up and called right back, someone picks your phone again but says nothing. Meanwhile Big Amin is on the floor screaming and begging God, not to take you……that she would rather die in your place, she was in so much despair, it was palpable. Aka and baby Amin join big Amin on the floor and are all crying. I am screaming my head off at the phone, begging whoever was on the other line to say something. I called Sylvie and scream, I asked her to give the Doctor or nurse the phone Please. The Doctor took the phone, but will not say a word. I called my husband and begged him to find out what the Hell was going on in NY, why will Sylvie, Sister Esther or Doctors not talk to us.
Meanwhile all the girls in the house are screaming and crying (Big and small Amin, Aka and my mom). Ngonya runs down the stairs and demands to know why everyone is crying. I say to him, “uncle Fide is very sick” and Ngonya says, “I’m sure he will be OK”. Now I begin to cry a little too, but I have to be strong, nobody else have control but me at this point. Kenneth calls back, his voice broken, I could feel the pain in his voice, this is the kind of pain-in-the voice sound that I felt from him when his dad died. I begin to cry, Ken asked me where I was, I said in the living room, he asked, where is Big Amin? I say right here, Ken says, get up and go someplace else; I don’t want big Amin to hear this. My heart left my chest and dropped in my stomach….
I stepped away, and said to my husband, now tell me; no sound, my husband could not talk…. Kenneth was in so much pain and sadness; I could feel it through the phone. When he eventually said “Uncle Fide just died” it was through profuse sobbing. I run upstairs to my bedroom, closed the door and just sobbed……
My mom comes to my bedroom door, and almost knocked the door down, she demanded to know what was happening in new York, I got up from my bedroom floor, opened the door and told her that you were gone…..
My mom starts screaming like I have never seen before, I beg her to not let the Kids or Big Amin know. Let’s just tell Big Amin that Uncle Fide is in a Coma, not Dead…..My mom walked to her bedroom, closed the door and I could hear her sobbing…
Now, how do I hide this from Big Amin and the kids, this is too sad, I can’t stop crying. So I stayed in my room a little longer, cleaned my eyes with saline flushes, went downstairs and say to Big Amin, “your Dad is not responding, but he is not dead” but Big Amin could tell that I was lying, my eyes were all red, puffy and teary but I continued to lie. I asked her to pack some things, we are going to NY now…..
We packed in less than 20 minutes, bundled the kids, shoved them in the car and we picked Ken up at work…..
In New York I demanded to see your remains before I could decide for myself if you were really gone or not. I still have not found closure till today…..
We come back to Maryland a few days later, Aka goes to school and cries many times. When she comes back from school she looks extremely sad and quiet, I asked her why, she tells me that she is in pain and sad because you are no more, she wants to know where you are? How you are doing, if you are lonely, if she will ever see you again. I was too sad to say anything, I sat there and looked at my daughter for a while in silence, I could not come up with reasonable or good enough answers……
Now you tell me uncle Fide, what am I supposed to tell the kids? You did call them almost every day, you remembered and called on their birthdays, and you spoke to Aka and Ngonya just a few days before you passed….
We are sad, we are in pain. Mami Rita is sad, she is In Pain. I still have not found closure, when we go home and bury you, then I might find closure, but for now, I will continue to hope that this is just a very long, sad dream….
Uncle Fide,i am still in shock and denial. We cannot question our maker,but i cannot help my self from saying that you are'' Gone too soon''.Growing up as a little girl, you had a huge presence in our lives. You are one of our late dad's friends who never gave up on our mum and us, helping us to grow.I will never forget the dramatic role you played during the celebration of our dad's life. Late Pa Micheal Aatabong during the 25th annivesary of his passing.This was in 1990,you coordinated the activites for all 3 days, the main spokes man and contact person. You made special provision for the fon of fontem who showed up unannounced. You took special care of my inlaws, the Bameleke's and made them felt welcomed. You did all this with such grace and style. You will forever remain in our hearts. Mammie Anasta as you called her, has not stopped crying. We love you uncle, but God loves you more. It is a journey for us all. please travel safely until we meet to depart no more. your part on earht's stage is over and the kingdom of God is now your home . I will sing our favourite saker song .
""Asleep in Jesus oh how sweet from which non ever wake to weep.''.Adieu uncle. yondo selele!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Constance Atabong Nkwantah.
I herd u die i went down stairs with amin i cried and cried. she asked me what are we going to do i said i don't know.we went to new york then came back to MD. i went to school the next day i cried i was so sad i did not want to talk to anyone. i will never forget you and i love you.
Brother Fidey, as i always called you, it is still not real for me to think that you are no more. I do have all these fun memories of when you would always come to the house in K=Mission , call for me and ask to see my report card. You always encouraged me to take my studies seriously every time you came to the house while on vacation from school. Brother, the last discusion we had was for you to come out here to California for a visit since it had been so long we had not seen each other and the fact that my mom ,your sister is here with me. I cannot stop crying but i know you will be saying now, " Edward, don't cry i am at peace". Brother rest in peace and i know you are with the Lord together with the other uncles /aunts who went ahead of you . Till we see some day to part no more, i love you brother Fidey.
Edward T
California
Uncle Fide,
On behalf of Mami Anasta and her five children, Vally, Kate, Nobert, Ngenyi and Bobo, I just want to thank you for all the love you gave us, you made us feel we had a place in your heart, your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten. You have been in our lives from childhood, you never left us in good times nor bad times, you were always there.
Your spcecial voice will never leave me, the voice of love, the voice that reassured me that i have a brother and a father in you. We will miss you dearly.
I know you are in a better place. God knows why He snatched you away from us so suddenly with all the plans we had but we have no regrets, because Our God and Father never fails.
ADIEU UNCLE FIDE
WE ALL LOVE YOU
Daddy, when I read the text message from Amin saying "Linda, just to let you know that I lost my father today in NYC" I thought I was dreaming. But it was reall!!! Pa why would you leave this world so soon at 58...However, I know you are now rejoicing with the choirs and angels in heaven. You will forever be missed.
ADIEU DADDY!!!
