Aunty Funlayo as we fondly call her,
I have not been able to get my head around it, but all I say just as you did, it is that it is well.
I know now understand why my Dad, Julius Modupeola loved you so much, though you always had your bouts, you had a connection to each other, you had the same name… I also know that he loved you for the honest conversations, when we all were too scared to say to Dad, he was wrong. My Mum knew, my Dad had soft spot and a lot of respect for you, and she would also call on you to come speak to your cousin. (Sisi Funlayo as she fondly called you, using this prefix for all her female in-laws).
I understood about your love for children. You were my ‘first nanny’. You would come to my Mum and Dad and take me away for the weekend almost every weekend, after I was born, I was told. Grandma, (Aunty the Nurse) would scold you for taking me away from my Mum and Dad, saying you were not allowing me bond to my parents, who were away working during the week. My Dad always said it, ‘your cousin Funlayo, hmmm she likes you so much’ he would say, and the wonderful stories would begin.
I can say for myself though and do not need to rely on stories told me, as an adult your love for the Lord is unapologetic. You demonstrated this through your sticking up for what is right in the sight of God, being honestly brutal with the truth, it was scary, it would push one to want to do the right thing.
As a young adult, growing into a young woman, I always saw you as strong, courageous, bold… maybe because you had 3 boys… your strength left an imprint in my mind worthy of emulation. On reaching adulthood, you advised me, what I need to do, as the oldest girl amongst my siblings, it is a role I saw you play well… be the support to everyone the best you can. The glue that keeps things together.
Your consistency in character, and steadfastness in the things of God speaks volumes. You always had a word of encouragement, it did not matter time or place we spoke, you always left me with a positive word, for that I thank God.
You have left a gap for those of us behind to fill, but notwithstanding we make the choice to do the best and keep being righteous relevant.
To the boys... Seun, Seye and Gbenga, my remaining Egbons on this side, I pray the Lord will fill every gap that has been left, with his love and the peace of the Holy Spirit In Jesus name. Amen.
Till we meet again at the feet of the Lord
Abimbola & Olusegun Ogundipe.