Tribute to My Beloved Mother. By Prince Ebere Uche.
4 min read
Irving Berlin once said. “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal. Ezinnem (my good mother), Ada Obiji as I fondly call you, you came, you saw, you fought, and finally you conquered. That is why we are all gathered here today to celebrate your life, your very good, worthy and exemplary life. To God be the glory.
Dear friends and family , as we gather here today under the gentle embrace of the sky, I stand before you with a heart that holds an ocean of emotions, each wave bringing with it a surge of memories, anecdotes and the timeless wisdom that is my mother.
In this sacred moment, where time seems to stand still, I find myself endeavouring to encapsulate the essence of a woman who was not just the anchor of our family, but a beacon of love, grace and resilience.
From the earliest moments of my memory, Mma, you were and have been a living embodiment of peace, love and unity. Your resilience was akin to a comforting blanket that enveloped you with warmth and security. You had an innate ability to transform the mundane into the magical to create a heaven of love and laughter amidst the chaos of the world.
Your love was the kind that nurtured dreams, healed wounds and encouraged one to reach for the stars with both feet firmly grounded in kindness and humility.
Your hands were a sanctuary, whether they were lovingly preparing meals that bore the flavour of affection or guiding us gently through life’s trials and tribulations. With you, life seems to take on a richer hue, a deeper meaning, woven with threads of love, sacrifice and an unyielding belief in the goodness of people.
With a mind that was a reservoir of knowledge and a heart that beat in harmony with the rhythms of the universe, you were a fountain of wisdom. You had a knack for finding beauty in the little things, for weaving cates that transported you to the realms where dreams danced freely and joy blossomed in abundance. You taught us your children to navigate the complexities of life with grace that was as majestic as a ship sailing smoothly across turbulent waters unfazed and resolute.
Your wisdom lay in your ability to see beyond the superficial, to delve deep into the care of one’s being and foster a connection that was both profound and everlasting. It was wisdom that encouraged us to seek the beauty in others, to cultivate relationships that were rooted in love, respect, and mutual understanding.
In the tapestry of life were moments of joy and sorrow intertwined, seamlessly, you stood as a pillar of strength, a beacon of resilience that lit the path of courage and determination. You wore your battles like badges of honour, showcasing the resilience of a spirit that refused to bow down in the face of adversity. You had a remarkable ability to find light in the darkest corners, to plant seeds of hope in barring hands, fostering blooms of joy that defied the harshest storms. You were the beacon of truth, hence your nickname ‘Eziokwubundu’, meaning ‘truth is life’, and you lived and exemplified this by going to any length to dig out any hidden truth in any matter you were invited to settle. Your spirit was akin to a mighty oak, standing tall with roots that delved deep into the soil of love and branches that reached out, offering shelter and comfort to those in need.
As I stand here today, amidst the whispers of the wind and the gentle rustle of the leaves, I realize that saying goodbye to such a towering figure, a matriarch in the truest sense is not an easy feat. But I find solace in the belief that this is not a goodbye, but a farewell, until we meet again in the realms where love knows no bounds. Where souls dance freely amidst the stars. So as my siblings and I bid adieu to a life that was lived with grace, love and an unwavering spirit of resilience, we will strive to embody the virtues you held dearly, to wear tales of love and joy that echo with the sweetness of your laughter, the warmth of your embrace and the wisdom of your words.
Dear mother, as you embark on this new journey, know that you are not alone. For you carry with you a part of our souls, a fragment of our hearts that beats in harmony with yours, resonating with love that transcends time and space.
Thank you, dear mum, for being our guiding star, our sanctuary of love, and our eternal home. You were, are, and will always be my beloved mother, a remarkable woman whose spirit will forever dance in the corners of my heart, bringing light, love, and joy in abundance. I can’t thank God enough for bringing me into this world through you as my mother. I am so proud of you that even in my next world, you will remain my mother. Farewell, dear mother, until we meet again in the gardens where flowers bloom eternally, where love knows no end and joy blossoms in the laughter of reunited souls.
Love you dearly mum, fare thee well till we meet again.
Goodnight.
Your first fruit (Son) Prince Ebere Uche.
