Ina,
My rock, my encourager, my prayer warrior, my cheer leader, my babysitter extraordinaire….where do I start from? You were the wind beneath my wings causing me to soar so high. You were the constant personality in the audience that gave the loudest ovation as I took various strides in life. I can’t believe you left when I need you most. This pain is so much, my heart so heavy yet I am mindful not to be offended in God. I bow to his sovereign will, He is your maker.
You called me every day at 8.30am…You would ask if I made it to covenant hour of prayer, if I had dropped Ladebi in school and if Jesse was ok, then you would end by saying ‘call me if you need me’. Ina I need you now! You never missed this routine, the cost of international calls didn’t stop you from checking on your baby.
You loved the lord passionately and always desired to know more of him. You took advantage of every opportunity either during bible study, communion service, Bible school or just discussions on God’s word. You taught us the ways of the lord from a tender age. We were present at every church service, even when it was not service day, you would take us to go clean God’s house.
You never stopped praying, it was your lifestyle. You prayed in the car before we set out, and when we got back it was the first thing we did, thanking God for journey mercies. I wondered why we had to pray always especially after morning devotion. You always woke up at night to pray even at your age. It still amazes me how you didn’t depend on any alarm clock or phone to wake you but rather on the Holy Spirit. You would simply say ‘Holy Spirit wake me up at 1.00am’ and He sure would.
To you, no challenge was insurmountable. You would always tell me- ‘bei kpo buo n’g mo’. You were a strong woman- the strongest woman I know. You nurtured me to the woman I am today. You encouraged me to keep at my goals with persistence. Sometimes I wondered how you remembered even the minutest detail of my numerous projects and you always followed it up with several calls, motivating me not to settle for mediocrity.
My prayer warrior…I used to just call you up at any time if I had any issue and that would be the end of your rest. You would pray till the break of dawn. I would be the one sleeping while you did warfare on my behalf.
I miss your laughter and the jokes we shared. I smile as I reminisce fond memories. Even the arguments we had are now amusing to me.
I couldn’t understand why you were generous to a fault, but you always said it’s more blessed to give than to receive. You taught me hospitality in the greatest measure as you welcomed all and sundry into our home and sometimes giving up your room for our friends and family. You lived a life of sacrifice, you gave your all. It hurts that I didn’t get to doing all we planned like a trip to your favourite spots around the world.
I will treasure every moment we spent together. Ladebi misses you a lot, she tells me often. I am grateful for the time you spent guiding her through her home work. Remembering your British diction when correcting some of her pronunciations makes me reel with laughter. She’s still colouring those cookies for you. As for Jess ‘b’ as you fondly call him, he has been in and out the room looking for you.
Ina, you set a standard so high I doubt I can reach it. As my sister Ijey told me once ‘Ere you do not measure up to mummy’. I certainly do not! You are my role model par excellence! All you taught me I pray for grace to replicate in my children.
There remaineth a rest to the people of God, rest well Ina till we meet again.
Love you loads, Bye for now….
Ere