My Mum – Always There!

One of the things that hit us most about our Mum’s passing to glory was the fact that we were used to her being there.

Growing up, she was always there; like most Mums would be. For the eight of us, travelling across cities, schools and even countries at a point.

Keeping up with our Doctor’s appointments, ensuring we took our drugs according to prescription and I remember at one time, like 5 out of the eight of us took ill at about the same time. Ye!🙆🏾‍♀

When I had my traditional wedding, I practically arrived like a guest. Mum working with Dad took care of things from our family end.

My fave pix since last year

When it was time for her burial, we, the children didn’t quite know where to start from. Mum always planned out the ceremonies, took care of the different families, knew what food to present to who and all of those tiny aspects of culture that we never knew even existed.

We did pull through

When my Mum took ill, we didn’t believe death would happen. I mean Mum was always there right? She would definitely be there till her 80’s, even her 90’s you know…

She would be there to witness the wedding of umuaka ito a – a term we used to refer to my three younger siblings when they were kids.

She would be there to stress as usual over the preparations, our dressings; consult for the best colour for the family asoebi, get the best tailor to make them, harass us over the phone to send our measurements, organize matching jewelries, all the while recommending rigorous skin care routine for the bride. Then organise her troupes of friends; decked out in various matching colours and her sisters too in their own uniform.

At Chika’s wedding…

She would plan the best decor and food and then have a permanent smile on her face that day, looking all beautiful like she didn’t lift a finger; one of her arms slightly stretched out as she gave nonstop hugs to her numerous guests, nodding and laughing to something they whispered to her ear, turning to frown and quickly correct something out of place; if any and switching back to a smile the next instance. All the while saying ‘Chukwu aluka’ – God has done great things and ‘Ekene m Chukwu’ – I thank God and silently hoping that the next wedding ceremony would be sometime soon. Lol

During her burial arrangements, my Dad made sure to bring some of the exact vendors she used for occasions and weddings especially her favourite decorator…

Her friends honoured her in no small measure, they turned out for all the events in troupes, in their different groups and uniforms with new dance steps. It was beautiful.

My Mum; always there like the Sun you expected to rise every morning and warm the earth…until her Sun set on June 29th, 2019 at Baylor Hospital, Dallas, Texas… Mama m…

We are grateful for the time she was bodily present with us and for all her sacrifices. And we do hope to try to be there for each other and to carry on with her legacy in whatever way we can individually and collectively.

Thus shall we pass from this earth and it’s toiling, only remembered by what we have done.

#LadyBeneLivesOn
#InEverLovingMemory

The Storytela