I remember how she would fondly call me "baby" and I would say "I am not a baby" and she would respond "you are my baby".
Craving for a mother for most of my life, I met mummy Grace at Sacred Heart Cathedral in 2008. I did not speak to her right away. She would always sit a few pews in front of me. I watched her in silence. I knew her, but she was yet to know me. I was friends with Obum. I watched her at every Mass. She was beautiful. He laughter was like a warm embrace. She had impeccable style and she loved to hang around and speak with people after Mass.
I met her officially at the bus park on the day that Obum was to leave for Ibadan for NYSC. We chatted for hours, we chatted as though we were long lost friends. We talked and laughed. We talked about ASUU and about everything else. We laughed so hard. It was easy to love her. She was graceful and kind. She wore her heart on her sleeves. So we forged a lasting relationship that came to include many wonderful people on both sides of the family. Her friends became my friends and her family became my family. Her love and prayers followed me about, from Nigeria to Canada. She never stopped praying for me. She always let me know that I was loved. But it wasn't just me, it was everyone around her. She gave what she had in excess, a heart full of love and gratitude.
I remember speaking with Prof. Emenyonu in 2016 and he told me of the wonderful things mummy had said about me. She was kind. I am not sure what she exactly she had said to him but I know that good people bring out the best in all of us.
Being so far away from Nigeria, I have cried alone, wiped my tears and sniffled my sorrow away. There is so much the heart can hold and so I have created this memorial website to take what I feel from my heart and put it somewhere, while I share the beautiful memories of mummy Grace with all those whom she loved and those who loved her.
she had a big heart, she loved her family and friends. She loved people and she welcomed so many into her heart. The song you hear in the background was her favourite song. Jesus was her anchor. She always spoke about the holy spirit as her friend and comforter. She knew that she was loved and she made sure that she spread her love to touch everyone.
Her passing may never be real to me, being so faraway, all I had left was her voice and our conversations over the telephone. All I have left are memories, beautiful memories. However, a voice deep in my heart tells me that she is at peace. She is at peace.
Rest in peace.
Rest in love
Amazing Grace.
