ForeverMissed
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Her Life
Madam Ruth Oloruntomola Adebayo

A TRIBUTE TO MY MOMMY

June 22, 2011

 

I knew Mommy long before I became her daughter in law; and being more of a mother to me than a mother in law, I will always remember her kindness and love; the tenderness with which she related to me and the heart with which she prayed and blessed me and my family. When I was in college (though not yet married), I never feared nor be intimidated to be around Mommy in spite of what some people go through with to be mother in laws! I had peace within me, knowing the Lord had indeed ordered my steps in marriage!!
I never had the privilege of being around Mommy for long as my husband and I left Nigeria shortly after we got married but I remember how she lovingly told me when we were expecting our oldest son, Oluwagbogo that she had vowed to help care for her grand children after birth because her mother helped her during her time! Being an orphan, it was the kind of support I definitely needed and looked forward to but never had the opportunity to enjoy that privilege since we left home as soon as our son was born!
Mommy’s love for my aunt (Momi) who raised me and my siblings touched my heart greatly. As Momi aged, Mommy would visit her; spend time talking to her and sometimes even took dinner to her. When we were looking for a caretaker for Momi, she was actively involved in the process. I remember seeing Mommy about a month before he passed to glory and even with her little strength; she still fondly asked if I had seen Momi and how she was doing. What a love!
Mommy, I personally will remember you for your love and kind words to me always. Thank you for living an exemplary life for me, so I can be future Mother to my sons’ future wives and not a mother in law to them! I have no doubt in me, Mommy that you are at the bosom of our Lord, your Lord where someday we will meet to part no more!
Adieu, Mother Oloruntomola!!!
Morenike Adebayo-Ige

MY MOTHER

June 18, 2011

 

On March 12, 2011, I had the most wonderful opportunity in my life: I sat side by side with my mother after we ate lunch together. As I was about preparing to leave for Abuja and my onward journey back to California, the deep thoughts going with me was perhaps that will be the last time to see my mother alive which reminded me of King Richard II quote “…death will have his day.” Shortly after that; this day came on April 18, 2011 when I received a telephone call that my mother, Madam Oloruntomola Ruth Adebayo had gone to glory!
My mother played the most important role in my early upbringing, having learnt many lessons that formed my early and adult life from her.
Madam Oloruntomola taught me to achieve success through hard work. My mother was a hardworking and committed trader and farmer. She took me along during her trading trips to Odogi, Ogidi, Okoro, Isanlu just to name a few and after the first round of sales, I had to stay at her stall to coordinate the selling while she proceeded to make purchases of other wares. I also remembered that she took me along to “Igbo” coffee during the coffee harvesting period.  After walking a very long distance to the coffee plantation, I would be the basket carrier while she harvested the coffee beans – the wages during those days depended on the quantity we were able to harvest; I very much remember that if we harvested ten “dasi,” (the measuring bowl), our wage will be one “dasi.” This we always do during my summer vacation.
My mother taught me integrity during her days of trading. Recently, the Wall Street Journal took a poll from many leading CEOs of Fortune 500 companies with the question: What is the number one value that makes a good leader? Over 99% answered integrity. Madam Oloruntomola had integrity in her business life. She never mixed (diluted) brands of her goods like Gari, Rice, etc and her measuring bowls “panu eka” were never dented; anyone who bought from my mother knew that they were buying high quality and full measure for their money! No wonder the lines to buy from her were always very long at the “Odogi” and other markets. This value of integrity has followed me in all my professional life – in my days in UAC of Nigeria Plc, and presently in the United States.  
My mother was a woman of Hope; it is “hope” that takes anyone through the wilderness of crisis. Winston Churchill, the great leader of England, was one day interviewed on what were the advantages of England over the Nazis; perhaps, the interviewer was expecting Churchill to mention things like Warheads and Army, but without hesitation, he said HOPE! My mother in one of her trips to Pategi was involved in a ghastly motor accident; she survived the accident but with heavy injuries. I quite remembered visiting her at the hospital; she had HOPE that God would see her through the injury and she would return to her normal business. One thing that I can definitely tell you today is that all my siblings are very HOPEFUL people and they spread this HOPE everywhere they go.
 My mother lived a very compassionate life and ready to give freely to others.  I remembered in my secondary school years, I left the boarding house to live at home and a friend from a distant village lived with me; my mother was responsible for us both without even knowing the parents of my friend.
Momi, you were God given blessing to us, and all the legacies you left will live long after you. I will miss you and I do know that one day we will meet again to part no more.
SUN RE O, MOMI
Bernard Adebayo-Ige, P.E., CEM, LEED, AP
Eastvale, CA