The death of my beloved Auntie Gladys has hit me so hard. The pain and deep sadness I feel is as fresh today, as it was on that fateful Tuesday, September 1st, when my Uncle Peter called from California and had no choice but break the news to me since my mom Lucy was not home. I still cannot believe that I heard him right and that Auntie Gladys (who from this point on I am going to refer to as MAMA since that's how I have called her all my life) is DEAD!
There are very few people in this world like MAMA. Mama was special. My sister Belinda and I lived with Mama for a couple of years. The love Mama showed us was unbelievable. Looking back, I am amazed at how God filled one person's heart with so much LOVE to shower on every one who stepped into her home and beyond. And YES!, her home was always filled with relatives!! There were as many as 18 people in the home at one point in time. The pot we used to cook banku was as big as one normally used in the chop bars. Mama's own children were only four(4) out of the lot, but they willingly shared their mother's love with all of us for years!!
One precious gift Mama gave to me, which I doubt she even knew and I wish I had said thank you to her for, is the GIFT of sharing a family prayer everyday! Ever since I started having my own children, we share prayers as a family every evening before we go to bed. Mama was the one who taught me how to do that. Everyone living under her roof had to gathered before the altar in the living room each morning for us to share a family prayer. It was a must!! Mama, thank you for drawing me closer to God Almighty!!
It was in Mama's house that my sister Belinda and I received the sacrament of Baptism, 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic church. On the day of our Ist Holy Communion, Mama shocked me by giving me her wedding gown to wear for the occasion. I could not believe such show of love by my beloved Auntie towards me!
I miss Mama dearly. There is so much I wish I can say to her but the cold hands of death have stolen my beloved Auntie from me. The last time Mama visited the US, we spoke constantly on the phone. I was going through a very difficult period in my life and, once again, she was there to console me and tell me how God loves me and would see me through. Mama, was going to pay us a visit in Atlanta the next time she came to the US, which we anxiously looked forward to. I cannot believe my children would not meet their precious grandma!!
Mama, I love you dearly and you will forever live in my heart.
May your precious soul rest in PERFECT PEACE. AMEN!!!!!!
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