A woman of so many qualities that exceeded the sum total of our collective ability to display the same traits in our lives and the way we touched others. A wonderful woman to behold that always wanted peace and love for those around her. You could not be in her presence and want to fight or argue with her. There was always something special about her from the very beginning.
Where do you start in talking about a woman of so many stripes and colours? The very fact this is being written is testament to her greatness. Those who knew her, remember the person who was selfless in her dealings with us all. Her qualities are too numerous to count. But we must do her justice and dignify her by stating those qualities. Our spoken and written words will resonate with her spirit in heaven.
She may be gone to the Lord, however, her spirit lives on in each and every one of us all. The manner in which her deeds contributed something to our lives is felt every time we speak about her times here with us. Her memories linger on, almost in a surreal state of being that can never die.
Some might say the following statement is a bit biased “that it is impossible to meet an angel in one’s own lifetime”, but it is the truth. However, God in his infinite mercy brought one to this earth to touch our lives in a Godly and spiritual way, her name “is” Olutokunbo Patricia Adegbite. The word “is” means her spirit lives on and it is her body the vessel which “was” sent here to be the physical representation of her.
She always served the Lord dutifully, never forgetting her purpose here on earth. Even in death that purpose is still being reflected in us because through her we have being bound into one eternal covenant with God, the all knowing Jehovah. Is it not marvellous? Where there was sadness, one of her qualities was to bring happiness.
Her honesty knew no bounds that we can safely say with a big smile on our face. That is certainly one quality I will want to aspire too throughout my life, so I too can become a shining example to others around me. She never shied away from telling us home truths no matter how painful.
She always sought to correct wrongs and make them right. She had her way of speaking with a soft voice that you always wanted to listen to at all times. She was a woman of her word. As a big sister and second mummy, she judged fairly and never with bias. You were either wrong or right.
Her compassion to others knew no limits. She helped those in need, without regard to herself. She went above and beyond to please those around her and always wanted to see people happy. She helped people, whether at work, in her nuclear or extended family, the places we lived in through the years and at church. This can be attested to by the tributes coming from far and wide, London to Nigeria.
On a more personal note, when I had my first child, it was my big sister who uttered these words, “Olu, it is well, do not worry I will always be here to support you”. At that moment when I thought this was going to be a huge challenge for me, she made it seem like it was nothing I could not handle and she was going to be there every step of the way. She kept that promise and it was her will that saw me through.
Olubowale Osinowo (Your brother and friend for eternity)