I was gutted that you did not wait for me to come and see you before departing from this life. My consolation is that OUR LADY, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ was with you at the hour of your DEATH – why? Because you advocated for the Holy Rosary all your life and you said the Rosary every day!
After I received the call “Jide mum is GONE”, I could not process the news until I started receiving condolence calls…. calls were coming from all over the world, people were sharing their stories of how you had helped them spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially.
People paying tributes with these words, YOUR MUM, was an amazing woman, she was very good to me, she had a kind heart, she saved me. This last one did touch me – and this was from a friend who said, “I can only compare your MUM to Mother Theresa”.
Mum, you were an exceptional woman, who lived a remarkable life. Memories of the love you showed me, and your good deeds will remain with me forever. Charity played a major part of your life. You never stopped giving care, love, money, advice and support to all.
Mummy, I love you, I admire you, I respect you and I salute you and will always remain grateful and humble. You served your family, the church, the community and the society well and I promise to carry on the good deeds and examples you left behind. You showed me faith, hope and love by example.
Your voice and sweet words still play in my memory…. BABA please stop drinking and please don’t smoke it’s not good for your health, BABA make sure you go for medical check-up regularly, even after I graduated, BABA how is studies please my dear don’t work too hard.
I still remember our routine growing up at a very young age, after our 6am daily prayers of the Rosary, we would get ready and go to Mass, after weekday Mass every day you would start home visit from Church until we get home, before Sunday Mass, you will go to a dozen prayer group meeting, some before Mass and the rest after Mass, after Sunday Mass, you would continue your home visit from Church until we get home.
Your dedication remained the same during my primary school days. As the youngest of your children and the only one left in primary school, you would drive me in your SUBARU after school to Atan cemetery to tidy and pray by the graves of your aunties and other relatives we would then visit other elderly family members including your late mother’s twin, taking gifts.
I still remember your handwriting, how you’d tell me to hold my book with my left hand and write with my right, I remember your address book and the phone calls you’d make calling to checkup on family, relatives, friends asking after their wellbeing.
Thank you, MUM,
Thank you, for loving me
Thank you, for caring for me
Thank you, for protecting me
Thank you, for teaching and sharing your faith with me
Mum, you loved people, you cared for people and you loved God whole heartedly
Mum, you showed and spread the love
Mum, you are LOVE
LOVE lives on
Poem for my mum
God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine.
And He moulded her heart of pure gold.
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses, you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that mother to me
Babajide Orimoloye (Son)