A TRIBUTR TO OUR DEAR MUM
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep”
1 Thessalonians 4:13,14
Mummy, as we would always call her was that beautiful sweet woman who loved God. She gave her whole life to us. She gave herself fully to serving the church and humanity with all her heart and was full of love not only for us her children, but for everyone who she met. She was a true lady. A very determined person who never gave up in the face of challenges. It is still difficult to accept that she is gone. As we stood by her bed and watched her take her last breath it still had not dawned on us what had just happened. We never thought of death for our mum. We believed she was a fighter and will pull out just as she had done a couple of times before. It was so sudden, but she left in a very peaceful manner, as peaceful as she would walk around the house as usual without you hearing her footsteps or noticing her.
When we think of how much she loved the Lord we know she is with her maker. Saying we will miss her is an understatement. Only mummy understood us and would stand by us under any circumstance. Mummy always had an advice and always had a story to tell to support her points. She would tell us the hard truth in her low voice, in a calm and loving manner. No one has pampered our spouces and children like mummy has. She loved to see her grand children perform and especially sing to her. She celebrated every success of ours and our children, no matter how small and made sure the whole family did. She cared about everyone and all our friends were her children. She cared about her family back home in Tanyingbe so much and would never miss the yam festival for anything. This year even though she was unwell she was prepared to go by any means if we hadn’t given her a car. As if she knew it was her last. She wanted to see her people, which she did. She was full of such joy when she returned and told us how she spent time with everyone and visited all the clans. She made such a huge impact in our lives. She made sure we understood the importance of education and would always encourage us to take the next step in our careers.
Already we miss the way she did things, Mummy was so organized and so meticulous that even in the dark she could pick a match stick for you. Mummy will pass her thin finger in corners just to check how well you’ve cleaned a place. When she stepped bare foot on the ground she could tell whether it had been cleaned and polished. She was so health conscious she will never eat with her fingers because she could ingest germs, she ate even fufu with cutlery. She was very neat and tidy and made sure we did the same. Mummy was fashionable but very modest and down to earth. She did not compromise on her standard of training. She was a disciplinarian to the core, and we affably referred to her in secret as ‘district commissioner’. She and our dad of blessed memory together were a force to recon with. We referred to him as ‘bo me gya’. When both sat to deal with any of us, we called it the Sanhedrin. But we have shared many fond memories we shall forever cherish. Mummy, your jokes, the way you laughed, your dance moves, our prayer times, picture times. Now we wonder, who will ask for mass for our spouses, children and us every month, who will light candles for us and encourage us not to fear because you are standing with us in prayer. You were so prayerful that even when you were unconscious you kept moving you fingers in the manner you do when praying the rosary. You trained us to be tough to be able to face challenges in life because the Holy Spirit was always with us. Growing up, we were molded to cherish what is true and right, to be hardworking, to be agents of positive change, to serve humanity, and to love and serve God with all our hearts. Our mum exemplified all she taught us in everything she did. There is no way we can forget all the good and valuable things she taught us. Mummy, you prepared us well for life and continued to keep an eye on us even till the last day. Thank you very much. Your maker has called you home, and as is said in John 14:1-3 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also”.
Mummy, we are confident that your maker has indeed come for you to a better place. You will forever remain in our hearts and continue to occupy that special place. Till we meet again Mummy, fare well, Hede nyuie.
Adieu
We love you mummy, we cannot stop loving you.
Jacqueline Philipa Anthony