TRIBUTE TO A WOMAN OF GREAT PATIENCE AND A HEART THAT LOVES

This tribute goes to Mama Idiyat Christianah Thomas. Mama, you were a woman of great virtue. On February 14th, 2023, (St. Valentine’s Day), the Lord called you to Himself.

In your lifetime you exhibited great love and patience. You showed love to everyone you come across. Till now, I wonder how you patiently prepared food for your son’s friends every Sunday for many years. At your death, so many people testified that they used to come to you to eat breakfast and dinner.

Since I came into the Thomas family you have never treated me as your son’s wife but as your daughter. You moved to my place 12 years ago when I gave birth to my first child. The love you had for me, your son, and your grandchildren made you stay back. Though you wanted to go back home (Badagry) after a year because you prefer the environment. But you patiently stayed back to take care of all your grandchildren so that I could work.

A mother-in-law who does house chores for her son’s wife. If I ask you to stop, you will reply,” Ife, is file ki n se fun enikan”, (meaning:” House- chores are not meant for one person”. )

You stood for love and unity. You cared for all. You bound all members of the family together.

On the 7th of February, 2023, when I took you to the hospital. I taught it was the usual way we go and return home, but this time around, you were admitted. After a few days of being admitted, you told your son to take you home (Badagry), we thought you wanted to leave the hospital because you were not comfortable lying down on the hospital bed since you have never been admitted before. We never knew you wanted to go back home to meet your creator.

Yours was a life well spent in love. Even though you experienced so many challenges in your marriage, you patiently stayed back to take care of your children. You can patiently endure anything as long as it will bring happiness, peace, and love.

Mama, I love you so much, but I find hope in the fact that you are with your creator because you did not only proclaim Jesus with your lips but also with your character because your heart was full of love. Yes! Jesus resides in such a heart.

I have learned these two great virtues from you, patience and the ability to love selflessly.

As we celebrate forty days after your burial, we pray that the Lord keeps us all united forever.

Adieu, Mama! We miss you so much.