Every child yearn for the love of a mother, because mothers are the first best friend we met as we came into the world.
It’s exactly 2 years today that my dearest mother passed to the great beyond, and I decided to write a letter to her in heaven, but I don’t know where to start from. *staring at my keyboard with teary eye*
Dearest Mother,
I am writing this letter just to let you know how much I have missed you. I miss our daily conversation on the phone (becasue of distance), I miss your everyday prayer, word of encouragement and advice. I miss hearing your lovely voice (it still echoes in my head). I miss hearing you call me the new pet name you gave me “Yeye Shinade” (Ifon, Ondo State dialect).
How can I forget the lovely woman who gave me life. How can I forget the woman who believed in me when everyone else gave up on me. How can I forget the woman who was always at my bedside in the hospital, when I was a regular customer at the children ward (was always falling sick as a child).
I remember when someone told you to abandone me in the hospital because I will eventually die due to my regular sickness (is she God?); you stood your ground, and told her “My child will never die because God gave her to me.” Hmm..what a lovely mother. You believed in God even in your down moments. You believed that God have a purpose for everything that happens in a man’s life.
I remember the first time you told me the story behind my birth. In your word, “The doctors told me they will perform a C-Section to bring you out, but they said it’s a 50-50 chance. It’s either the child dies and the mother is alive, or the mother dies and the child is alive.” You rejected the mortal doctors’ verdict there and then because you believed in the GREATEST PHYSICIAN, JESUS CHRIST. You went ahead to your church (Christ National Church Lagos) and told your head pastor (may his soul rest in peace too) what the doctors said.
The pastor and the mid-wives joined their faith with yours and commenced a deliverance session. Lo and behold, you went into labor and was delivered of a baby girl who refused to cry for 3 hours (the girl must be stubborn..lolz). It took the mid-wives prayers and the pastors 3 hot slaps on the baby’s buttocks before she came to life with a loud cry. *Shout Halleluyah!!!* Hence, the reason why you gave her the name, ANUOLUWAPOLORIMI (God’s Mercy is Abundant in my life). Even though I now go by ANUOLUWA TI KO LA BA WON (God’s Mercy is Flawless — MERCYFLAWLESS). *winks*
My rare gem, my best friend, my intercessor, my advocate, my diety, my jewel of inestimable value, my dearest mother. If tears could bring you back to life, I’m sure you’ll be back by now, because I still cry every time I yearn for your love.
I went beserk on the day I received the news of your demise, I couldn’t think straight, I cried myself to a pulp, I almost passed out from crying. I kept saying “How can my mum die, when I just lost my dad 10 months ago.” I kept calling my brother to ask him if it was a joke, my sister told me it was not a joke (She sent me the lying in-state picture).
Even though your exit was painful to us all, I summoned the courage and told myself that, “God giveth and God taketh, who am I to question the UNQUESTIONABLE GOD.” I took it in good faith and asked God to give me the STRENGTH and COURAGE to move on (which HE did).
Although it’s been two years, but the HUGE SPACE your exit created can never be filled by anyone but GOD. I wish you are here to see how big your Anuoluwapo “Yeye Shinade” has grown.
My number one peace is that I know you are in a better place because you taught us the way of the Lord, and you never joked with your prayers and service to God, and humanity. Indeed, you are a blessing to your generation.
On behalf of your 4 children, Olubunmi, Olugbenga, Olufunke, Oluwasegun, and your grand kids, Boluwatife and Omotara (they are both big girls now). We just want you to know that we LOVE you, but GOD LOVED and still LOVE you most.
Continue to rest in peace my dearest mother.
Your Daughter,
Olufunke Anuoluwapo (Mercy) Tanimola
Here is one of my mum’s favorite songs below…
She loved the song so much *uncontrollable tears*
