Indeed your death has left a mark in our hearts. The love, kindness, meekness, gentleness that you showed us all can never be forgotten in our hearts in years to come.
Truth be told, when I was a child I never liked you because I felt like you never minded your business, always reporting to my mum when I did things you despised, and sometimes putting your mouth in things that I thought did not concern you. I got so annoyed whenever I heard the news that "Mama was coming to the house" and when you eventually come, I started anticipating the day you will leave just after your arrival. I felt like you were so old with an archaic mentality and so unfit for this modern generation. But that was just me thinking like a child and being selfish.
But growing up as a teenager, to realize things for myself and had a taste of how the world had become, I began to thank God for giving me a great gift- and that is the gift of seeing my grandmother. I consider myself highly fortunate because there are so many children all over the world who didn't get the opportunity to see their grandparents and in some extreme cases some don't even get the opportunity to see their parents which is so terrifying.
I began to enjoy all the moments I spent with you and most especially the Urhobo lessons you gave your grandchildren for free. I remember you always saying: "You're Urhobo men and women and for this reason you must understand your language". I must say that your teachings have gone a long way, not just enabling us to hear and speak our language but also to equip us in writing the Urhobo language we hear and speak. The most beautiful part of it all was that you always rewarded I and my siblings with a centre fruit (chewing gum) or ginger sweet which was quite funny but was one of the greatest things you did in our lives.
Even when I am being scolded, beaten and sometimes punished for my bad and unruly behaviour, you still showed great love by begging my mother on my behalf and that meant a lot to me
At times we forget to pray when we wake up in the morning because of haste, but because you cared so much for us, you filled in the gap on our behalf, singing your favourite songs and praying for the protection of the lives of your daughters and to you, that was not enough, you extended the prayer to all your grandchildren and great grandchildren and family members. What a wonderful grandmother you were!
Personally your selfless attitude towards those you love and also those that surround you has really inspired me. I have learned from your example, to show love to people and have the interest of other people at heart even when they didn't deserve it, which speaks of how amazing and extraordinary you were.
You're one of the greatest Icons I have ever seen, because, in you I saw a grandmother, a leader, a mother, a grandfather, a father, a pacesetter, an achiever and also a role model to mention but a few.
You have ran the race and conquered the race. We, your armies that you have brought to this world, must follow suit and conquer our own races. For we run with a joyful hope that one day we shall meet again. I love you so much GRANDMA❤❤❤❤
Your Grandson – Bruke Akpofure