This is one loss too hard to comprehend, hence really difficult and so expensive to write.
Mummy, I am lost for words to describe what a step mum wonderful step mum you have been to me. I, my husband (Dr Isibor), and children will miss you so dearly. But I trust the good Lord, that in his infinite mercies, has a purpose for every one of us. It takes a lot of courage to remember and reproduce all that you have meant to me since meeting you quite young long before daddy passed, and after his passing you showed me even more love that it is hard to believe that you are only my stepmother and not my biological mother.
Even when my mum passed nearly 3 years now. Mummy Irene was the first to call me to comfort me. She supported me with all my siblings emotionally, morally and financially. She and my siblings planned, sent one of my dear brothers and his wife (Osat & Tessy) to follow me to bury my mum in Nigeria (Benin City) to be precise.
So how can I get over your death mummy Irene. Is it the early morning phone calls from the US to check on me and my family or is it the first Xmas and new year phone calls that I will miss more from you? Whenever I have any occasion to celebrate my children, be it graduation, weddings, birth of my grandchildren or birthday day celebrations, Mummy’s phone calls and gifts are always not farfetched.
I recall, when my son (Norman) and my daughter in law (Dee) had my little grandson in Seattle (Washington), mummy’s gifts and phone calls kept coming. Dee, personally fell in love with her show of love. Sometimes, when I miss her calls, she would call any of my children who would tell me “Mum, grandma has just tried to call you, can you ring her back.” Then I rush to ring her back before she calls again. Last year, when I passed through Toledo/Ohio to visit her, our twins and Isi, which was the last time I was blessed to saw you. That is the last memories of you that I have with me. Norman and his wife Dee were so distraught when they heard the news of mummy’s demise.
When I was told mummy was ill and in hospital, Whilst I was preparing for my 60th birthday celebrations in Mexico with my siblings. I just continued to pray for healing for her. I immediately planned to travel to Toledo to see her on my return in August. I had confirmed my visit with Kehinde after her discharge from hospital. I had less than a week to fly out, and even gave some fabrics to my tailor to make her a few lounge gowns for mummy. A few days later, when Efe called me early Tuesday morning, I immediately knew something had happened. As soon as I asked him,” Efcho, as we fondly call him, wetin happen this morning?“ He said “Sister, mummy don go at 8.30 this morning”. Then, the why and how followed shortly after while I held back my tears. He said, “I watched everything from the camera,” then I broke down in uncontrollable tears. Then, realised that the “sun set at dawn.”
“All my children, especially Shola, who was so fond of mummy has seen her more often than my other children was in a shock for a few days, that he kept asking, “has grandma actually gone?” so loosing you at this “moment” is very hurtful, touching and emotional and not easy to accept, but I trust you are resting in the bosom of the almighty.
Mummy Irene has been a unifying force since our dad passed. Mummy! You were more than a mother to me. If all stepmothers can be like you the world will be a better place.
Rest on mummy……until we meet to part no more.
Adieu mama.
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