My sister dear,
I am still in great shock and disbelief. Am I dreaming? Is it really true that you have left us all to eternity? This is unbelievable! Why so sudden? Why now? Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I will, this day, be told of your death. It has still not sunk in yet! You have dug a very deep hole in my heart. I feel so lonely. Life is so short!
For all these years, you have been a source of inspiration, joy and pride to all of us. Your beauty, your personality and radiancy, your intelligence, hardwork, honesty, devotion and dedication to the work of God, will forever linger in my mind. Your greatest attribute and special gift from God was your VERY BIG HEART! We, your sibblings, our children, and many, many people were fortunate enough to share your love with you and your children - who never complained. You embraced us all and made each and every one of us feel special, wanted and loved. You were one out of a million! No matter the circumstances, you were always full of smiles, joy and love for us all, and for humanity.
I remember the joy of our parents and us, your sibblings, when you won a full scholarship to the Holy Child Secondary School in Cape Coast. Your excellent performance there up to sixth form impressed everyone, especially the UAC (United Africa Company) executives who had granted you the scholarship in the first place. You were virtually a genius in our eyes and you made us all very proud. Because of your exceptional performance in school, UAC was always ready to buy all your personal needs for school. This was unusual of any company in Ghana and it was a source of pride for us, your family. You carried on this high level of excellence even to the University of Ghana, Legon.
A very special day in your life was no doubt your wedding day, the memory of which is still fresh in my mind. The young, beautiful, slim and radiant Gladys was beaming with smiles, just as we your family members were. Gladys looked very elegant, gorgeous, joyful and pretty! There is a saying that "a thing of beauty is a thing of joy forever". That was exactly how I saw my dear sister Gladys on her wedding day! You carried this joy throughout the greater part of your life, with strength and vigor. I am extremely grateful to God for that.
I also still remember when you were awarded a full scholarship to pursue a Masters' Degree in Business in Canada. After the completion of your course, you again filled our hearts with great joy, bringing back along with you your beautiful newborn baby girl, Barbara. On arrival at the airport, you were beaming with smiles, just as we also were, seeing the two of you!
During my difficult times in life, you stood solidly by my side. Even when I left Ghana to teach in Nigeria, you embraced my children, welcomed them into your home, and showed them great motherly love. You taught them how to pray unceasingly and trust in the Lord. It was through your relentless efforts that my children received their Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. What a wonderful, caring, precious and loving sister you were. Thank you very much, Sister Gladys. I feel very lucky and proud to have you as my sister! You were very instrumental in my return from Nigeria to Ghana, and in re-instating me back into the GhanaTeaching Service. I am forever grateful for that!
My dear Gladys, as a result of your enormous sacrifices, hardwork and unceasing love, your children and your siblings' children have achieved tremendous success in life. We are extremely grateful and will forever cherish this. This is the time for you to reap and enjoy the fruits of your great labor, and it is unbelievable that the icy hands of death have just snatched you away from us so suddenly. Why this, why so soon and why so suddenly? Oh, how we your siblings and your precious children miss you and yearn to hear your voice over and over again!
In appreciation for all your love and care, your children have built you a very beautiful house at Juapong and you were actually preparing to move into this home by Christmas. But death has stopped this move in its tracks! Death has taken you away from us! Hardly can we comprehend the deeds of God the Almighty! He knows best why He has called you to eternity. May the Angels in heaven keep you safe and give you maximum rest, peace and joy that you so much deserve. I will, forever, cherish the very good and exemplary life you led on earth and, above all, your tender LOVE for us all.
My dear sister, we love you, but God loves you best! Goodbye, till we meet again in eternity to part no more!
No comments:
Post a Comment