My dearest mother, you were a great mother indeed. I still have not come to the realization that you have left us as I can still see your smiling face, still laughing at your funny jokes, still singing your favorite praise songs and saying amen to your prayers as if you were still with us and just a phone call away.
You loved your beloved husband, your children, family and friends and would do anything for them. I remember the day I heard that the results of my “School Cert” examination have been posted, I told you I was afraid to go to the school, and you got in your room, got dressed and went to my school because of me. As I waited anxiously for you to return home, I saw that beautiful smile on your face as you announced that my best friend and I have successfully completed our secondary education. Of course there were other countless occasions where you demonstrated love, courage and strength as a mother to your children and as a wife to your departed husband.
You taught us Christian values and morals and modelled to us what a good loving mother and wife should be. However, you did not abdicate your responsibility to demonstrate tough love when it was necessary to discipline and impart the truth into our lives. These were important lessons that we all learned and are emulating with our own children and grandchildren today.
Your love for God was obvious and it did not matter to you whether you were in a church building, at a private home or at a friendly gathering, you were ready to happily sing and danced for the Lord. I am very thankful and appreciative to God that he gave you one last opportunity to worship him, happily sang your favorite praise songs, danced, prayed and paid your last tithe as you loved to do before you departed this world on that beautiful Sunday afternoon after service.
It was not surprising that you were selfless, kind and you cheerfully gave of what you had. You taught me to know that it was better to give than to take. I remember your amazing hospitality to our friends and family members when they visited us. It was not unusual for you to spend time and money to bake your tasteful cakes and then spent time to beautifully decorate them just to give them away as wedding or birthday gifts. Your jokes were amazing and funny as you had a way of making people around you laughing and joyful
Dearest mother, I know if you were to console your children, family and friends during this difficult time, you would say to your children, “I know you will miss me because I was your mother and you loved me dearly, then you would pray for us as you did during your life time. You will also say to us wipe your tears as I did my best when I was with you. Make sure you love your God and all people, do good always and never forget that one day, you will have to lay down everything to answer the call to depart this world”.
Dearest mother, I will really miss you and those countless phone calls, our long phone conversations, your funny jokes, your laughter, your special motherly prayers, your knowledge of the Scriptures and how we usually end our phone calls by singing your favorite song. “E je ki a fi inu didun yin Oluwa”
I also know that your family and friends will miss you especially your “beloved little children” at the Redeemed Christian Church of God located on your premises will really miss you and your treats after Sunday service as they fondly called you MAMA.
Until we meet again, may your kind and gentle soul continue to rest peacefully with the Lord in Jesus name. Amen.
Your dearest daughter
Mrs. Yetunde Odutola.