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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Memories of Mama

#Longpostalert

Tuesday 20th April 2010...6:30pm


That’s my phone ringing. I pause my movie and grope around for the phone. I pick it up without looking at the caller ID.

‘’…Temi, mama is dead’’

My annoyance at having my movie interrupted dissipates. I am suddenly plagued with so many emotions; I cannot differentiate one from the other.

My sister keeps talking but I don’t hear what she says. That simple phrase keeps repeating itself in my mind. First I’m confused as hell, then my mind slowly grasps the news, then I’m sad that mama, my mama has died. Then I’m happy that she has left all the suffering of this world behind, then I’m mad that she didn’t wait for me to arrive home, to at least say goodbye.

Then my heart breaks, I actually hear the snap. My heart weeps…

‘’she died this morning…’’ she continues

I take in a ragged breath and release it almost immediately.

‘’Temi please don’t cry…you know she lived a good life’’ she says earnestly.

I just hold the phone to my ear and I’m not sure what to do with my other hand, so I put it in my blue jean pocket.

The phone keeps passing between her and my mother…I know I’m supposed to be consoling my mother, but I couldn’t get the words out.

Somehow ‘’I’m sorry’’ seems like such a lame thing to say in these times.

The credit finishes…or my mom hangs up…I’m not sure, but I hear the dial tone in my ears.

I drop the phone and think about my mama…in my mind’s eye, the clock slowly goes back….

I’m five again. Mom said to have garri for lunch, with sugar and groundnuts. Mama puts very little sugar in our garri, cos she doesn’t want us to have ‘jedi-jedi’ Then she puts the sugar on the topmost shelf, so that even with the chair, we can’t reach it. Fast forward a few years, I’m what, ten? She can’t do this anymore, cos we’re now the same height. So she wraps it under her wrapper and puts it under her pillow J

Fast forward again a few years…I’m 13…the neighbor’s son is eyeing me. Mama gives me the sex talk. I don’t get half of it…but she keeps ringing it in my head…the mortification lol.

Anyway at this point, tears start to roll down my cheeks…my friends think I’m silly for crying…(she was over 100)…but I’m not mourning or anything…the tears just keep coming…I think I’m crying cos I’m gonna really miss her…not because she died.

Things started going downhill around 2008…she had a mild stroke. She really thought she was gonna die then…I guess God had something else in mind huh??

It really hurt me to see her like that…she was a really strong woman…she used to wash all the clothes in that my big house…whether they were dirty or not…and then suddenly after the stroke, she couldn’t even go to the bathroom before peeing all over.

It was sad.

I’m glad she died.

Because at least she’s in a better place now. She’s resting. She isn’t sick anymore.

That’s what consoles me.

Mama…rest in the bosom of the Lord. We will surely meet again at the feet of Jesus. Until then…

p.s: I still can’t believe she’s dead, you know? I always thought she would outlive us all…ok not exactly…but I thought she would at least live to see her great-great grandkids by me L


12 CerebrallyEndowed views:

Nee Fe Mi said...

awwww i'm so sorry my darling.... big hug.... may her soul RIP

Onose said...

im so sorry, words cannot even express what i'm feeling for you. . may she rest peacefully and may you be ever so comforted . *e-hugs.

Blogoratti said...

I wish you courage for today, and strength for tomorrow & always!
I am so sorry about your loss...

shorty said...

I'm so sorry about your loss, she is surely in a better place may her soul rest in peace. *hugs*

Juanita said...

Hold in there,my sympathies. She really is in a better place.
I can't feel your pain but be strong. :)

Anonymous said...

May you Mama rest in peace...

like you said
"she is in a better place"

feel better. :)

*e-hugs*

iphyigbogurl said...

the anonymous comment was from me btw

Myne said...

So sorry to hear about your loss, like your sis said, she lived a good life. Take care hun.

Anonymous said...

Mama is in the BEST place!
A place where she'd be stronger than she was on earth
And a place where no one has to worry about her health because she is in a perfect state;
And in that perfection would she watch over the family because that was her sole reason for going there.

She is rather loved and may her soul rest in peace but also use that peace to guide you.
There; you have a gaurdian angel..
probably the most perfect one.

Adieu Mama!

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry about your loss. Thank God she was a blessing to your life. I swear grandmothers are the best. They are soo wise and so loving.

Geebee said...

Sometimes grandparents or greatgrandparents could stay around for so long that you wish they'd not bother leaving anymore. Take heart sis. She's in a much better place now.

CerebrallyBusy said...

Thanks All

I really appreciate the support!