There is something exceptionally special about a woman that distinguishes her from all of God’s other creatures. It is even more exceptional when said woman knows who she is, knows who she was created for, and stands unshakable for her Creator against the storms of life. Mom, YOU were and are the embodiment of what it means to be a TRUE WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE. You were POISED, CLASSY, had INTEGRITY in spades, were extremely RESILIENT, and had this special ability to breathe life, in big and little ways, into the people you encountered.
You treated every one of our friends as you treated us, your children. You taught me to really see the human heart of people instead of just their “covering.” Mummy, you were an embodiment of what it truly means to be a WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE.
Life gave you no half measures in the form of troubles. It came at you strong, but you met every challenge head-on. You came out swinging in a big way at every turn against the many hills and valleys of life. In a very quietly fierce way, you faced life fully. Your fiercely quiet strength greatly impacted my life and the lives of all my siblings. I can say with complete confidence that I’m a better woman today because of you.
The life lessons I was able to see, as well as learn, just by watching how you interacted with and loved others in life have been proverbial anchors I continue to use as I walk through life. I saw you live out the faith in real time, and I’m incredibly grateful that God blessed me with you as my mother. My relationship with God is unshakable in part because of you, and I am immensely proud to be your daughter.
Knowing that I will not see you again in this life shatters my heart. I wish I had more time with you. Many plans I had for us two will never come to pass. Alas, you have run the race beautifully, Mom, and your source of strength, Jesus, did not meet you unprepared. He called, and just as He had been calling in the past, you answered, “Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Even in your last moments on this earth, you were still able to take care of your family by waiting for the priest to come in order to help you prepare your soul properly to meet your Savior at the heavenly banquet. I could almost hear Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful one,” to you. About five minutes after the priest left, as your husband and all your kids prayed the Hail Mary, you closed your eyes calmly and slept peacefully in the Lord.
I’m very grateful for this great act of mercy extended to us who are left behind and desperately missing you. You made sure to let us know how proud of us you were, and you blessed us (me in particular) in an incredible way by allowing me to take care of you in your last years.
I terribly miss seeing your precious smile immediately whenever you saw me. It always made the stress of the day melt away. I miss praying with you and making the sign of the cross on your forehead at night before you went to sleep. Who will I say “Mami ooooh” to again??… On whose lap will I sit, despite my old age, hug tightly as both of us smile happily!!!….
I miss you terribly, Mummy. I look forward to seeing you again in our Father’s house in heaven. Greet Grandma, Grandpa, and everyone else for me. “Nkontay” (thank you), Mami, for just being you ❤️