“Sweet is the remembrance of the righteous” Prov. 10:7
We celebrate the life of a courageous and loving Mother in Israel, who was not afraid to stand up and care for orphaned children when there was absolutely no one, but the LORD, to help her! Her memory, her legacy of love and godliness, cum the fruits of her labor, live on. Madam Alice O. Olumolu, known to Reni and her siblings as “Moomi” (My Mom), was loving, kindhearted & hardworking.
I was six months, and the youngest of six siblings, when our father passed and Moomi, (our paternal aunt) came to live with our mother, in order to support her raise us. When I was seven, my mother passed also, thus leaving Moomi to care for us all. She was only a petty trader, who travelled the neighboring towns and villages to buy and sell. However, we lived a happy and comfortable life. I remember travelling to some of those places with her as a kid, sometimes on foot. I slept in her bed for many years of my early life and ate in the same plate with her, until I felt too grown for them. J
When I was seven years old, Moomi enrolled me in the Anglican Church Choir because she wanted me to grow in the knowledge and admonition of God. Of course, her action was part of the divine plan of God for my life, as the Lord kept me singing from that time until today. Praise God!
I lived with Moomi all of my childhood and early adult life, until I got married. When I was in high school and living in the dormitory, I remember how she would prepare my favorite food and send to me. Every Sunday while in the dormitory, I usually stop by the house on my way to church, knowing she would have woken up early to prepare a sumptuous meal for me.
Moomi gave me all the care, love and guidance any mother would give a daughter. I grew up knowing her as my mom and never doubted her love for me. She was very prayerful about who my future husband would be. Hence, her love and acceptance of my husband when he was wooing me was one of the signs the Lord used to give me the confidence to go ahead.
Moomi was a devout Christian woman, who I remember would sit in the parlor (living room) reading her Yoruba Bible until age had affected her eyesight. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior long before passing on to glory. She told me in 2011 when I last saw her, that she was ready to go home! She fulfilled her purpose as a mother of many! Sweet Sleep Momo Morenike (Morenike’s mom), until we meet to part no more at the feet of Yeshua, the Christ, on the Resurrection Morning!
Morenike (Reni) Adebayo-Ige (Nee: Onaiyekan)
