My virtuous and visionary mother, I still can’t believe you transitioned to glory so early. It feels unreal and I am totally devastated by your sudden demise. We had lots of plans together but who can question the giver and taker of life?
My benevolent and sweet mother, you sacrificed so much for me. Your love for me was unfathomable. A true representation of selflessness. If the science and art of mothering was taught in schools, my beautiful mother, you certainly would have achieved a PhD and become a professor.
You were a supportive and loving mother, the most hardworking person I have ever known. In my early age, I saw you always leaving for work early, staying late and bringing home some unfinished work to complete in the evenings and some weekends, this I know was not the norm for a civil servant. Some weekends when you are not working on files, you would take us farming (planting, weeding, and harvesting) as you and dad had lots of farmlands in the village.
You were a provider and visionary leader, teaching me how to budget and save at the age of 8, you treated me as an adult even asking my opinion sometimes. Whenever you got your salary, you would show it to me and then divide it amongst us and others, some to save for our education and the rest for family needs. What always surprised me was you including other people in that budget. When I asked you, “Mummy, why are you giving this person money, ” you would say, “my daughter, I have to help, this person is suffering.” You loved to help; it was your joy.
Mom, you always made sure all our basic needs were met, when times were tough you would take out a loan with the government and when I ask you how you will pay back, you would say “my dear child, the government will deduct it from my salary, if the payment does not finish before I retire, they will take it from my gratuity.” These were one of the many sacrifices you made to ensure we all were taken care of.
You were industrious and continued your educational pursuit after giving birth to us. You proved to us there was no age limit to acquiring knowledge, studying, and becoming more valuable to society. Even at that, you believed in having multiple sources of income and not just from a job. You and dad’s company were always looking for contracts, buying dividend paying stocks and sourcing for ways to make more income. You never believed in consumerism but taught us to be diligent in utilizing our resources to produce food and other goods. We always grew and harvested our crops making garri, fufu, palm oil all from our farms. We seldom ate the ones sold at the market. You taught me how to cook, your cooking was so great that all restaurant foods tested just okay. We were always needing mom’s cooking.
You were my advisor, coach, and best friend. I ran almost everything I was planning by you, and you would always give me the best advice and support me.
You taught me to pray, you prayed for us day and night, God always answered your prayers. You always finished every conversation with “God bless you” that was your mantra.
Mummy, you were my protector, you ensured I was always with the right kind of friends, all my friends enjoyed your presence. As a mother, remembering how inquisitive you were regarding the people I associated with, I now understand that love and protection you always had for me.
Since I got married, you’ve been teaching me how to be a great wife and mother. You took great care of your grandkids teaching them how to study and pray. You loved your son-in-law as your son. Every time I think about your conversations, I smile because it was always enjoyable hearing you two chat as best friends. Always wanting the best in all. Our lives were filled with laughter, joy, singing, dancing, and happiness because you were part of it.
My sweet mother, I see a lot of you in me, so I know you did well. This death is too painful and I do not think I will ever recover from the shock. I am grieving for my father who has lost his best friend and wife. I am grieving for my kids who have only known their wonderful grandma for such a short time in their lives. I am grieving for my husband and brothers who have lost a friend and mother. I am grieving because I will miss your smile, your many gist, your warm hugs, pampering, everyday calling, your advice, your singing, dancing, and cool swag. I will miss playing scrabble with you, I will miss your meals and cooking together. We have all suffered a huge loss.
My dearest mom, you taught me all I needed to learn in life to be a good adult, to work hard, to love, to support others with my time and resources, to care for my family, friends, and neighbors and to make merriments. Because of you, we are better off.
It was a great privilege and honour to be your daughter. God said you have completed your mission on earth and God knows you did it perfectly. Your works were excellent. We will continue to honour your name and memory by living the example you left for us.
I love you mom; you were the best I could ever hope for. If there is another life, I hope you will be my mother again.
May your loving, sweet, beautiful soul rest with the lord until we meet again.
Adieu Your Excellency❤
”You were a supportive and loving mother, the most hardworking person I have ever known
Kate UmohDaughter
