A Tribute to Mrs. Aina Rachael Olowu
Many speak of love as if it were a thing, a phenomenon that comes and goes, but for my mother-in-law (experientially a misnomer), Madam Aina Rachael Olowu, it was her essence. To you, mama, love was not only a sacred emotion to always imbue; it was an act that you personified every day of the several years that I have been privileged to have known you. Your love for humanity was second to none and such love for all of us, your children, was unconditional. And you had several children (biological and spiritual), for whom you have changed the definition of love. Certainly, it is no longer an emotion, but truly a performance.
To have known you was to have come to experience uncompromising love through your speech and deeds. There is a parallel to this in the holy book that asserts that “Faith without works is dead” and for you, mama, love without its every day, dutiful enactment is vacuous.
Mommy, as you were fondly called, it was a great honor and privilege to have known you and to have experienced the love you shared with me, my wife, her siblings, and all of our children—your grandchildren. Yours was an exemplary life that many would pray to have because it was full of the pleasant atmosphere that you always created; and that ambiance of assuredness was ever present wherever you went. This legacy of agape love I have promised myself to always demonstrate, so it may be passed onto my children and grandchildren, and so it may be shared with generations to come.
That you were a born-again Christian truly is a comfort unto us your children because we are assured of your destination at the bosom of the Lord. We are comforted by the fact that you were conscious of that heavenly destination by your proclamation and affirmation of the material environment you were in while we thought you were still with us, but in fact, you had actually transitioned to paradise.
You described where you were in earthen language and you awed at the beauty and magnificence of the “hotel” that you were in, while waiting to be united with your husband, who departed this world under a year ago!
Mama Rachael, your description of heaven just a few hours before you departed this world attests to the validity of the song lyrics that, “you have met each other at the feet of Jesus, where you will never ever be separated again, but where you’ll forever behold each other and rejoice in the presence of Jesus Christ, the officiating minister!”
Unto this world you were a rare gem, whose beauty radiated unfathomable splendor and whose legacy we claim with utmost adoration. Thank you mama for the gem you bequeathed unto me—your first child, the love of my life, and my dear wife, Oluyemi.
You left us with love to traverse this earthly realm, and with hope of a better future here and beyond.
Adieu mama. We shall miss you dearly until we meet again.
Rest in peace.