8 Years...

(Our las picture together during the Workers' Week)

I wanted to wait until it had been 10 years but I didn’t need to do that. I already remember you everyday.

It was Workers’ Week in church that week. January 23rd 2010. That was the Saturday. You came every other day but didn’t come that day. Little did I know that was the day you departed.

I can’t remember what day of that week it was, but it was your turn to share the word. All I remembered was that you read 2 Timothy 4:6-8,

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

You were talking about Paul’s depart and then started talking about a crown waiting for you that God was going to give you. I didn’t quite understand what you were talking about that day. I just remember you personalising the above scripture having absolutely no clue of what you were actually saying and what was to come.

It’s Sunday service. The word taught by Pastor himself. That service? was fire. But I noticed…you weren’t there too…I didn’t think anything of it. Pastor hadn’t said you were elsewhere so I assumed you were still in your office; coming out soon.

But you never came out…still didn’t think anything of it, service was hot!

The sermon is over and Pastor says, “I have some news for yooouuu.” with a charming smile on his face. We were all so excited, we were eagerly waiting on the good news he was going to surprise us with.

(paraphrased)“….Pastor B went to be with The Lord last nig……screams break out, some fell to the floor, some stand in despair and the room is also filled with a loud silence at the same time. Pastor went on to explain further and delegated to someone else to round up the service. I don’t think anyone could out themselves together to recite the Grace that day.

Me? I sit in silence on the end seat of the choir stand. I get a sudden flashback of her sermon of her reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8. Chuckle to myself and say, “Woman of FAITH! You knew you were departing didn’t you?” - I didn’t. I had no idea what really she was saying that day. Not seeing you at your seat that Sunday now made sense. You had already gone.

You were a mother who was firm, but ever so full of love too. You were the type of woman who would ask, “what happened to the 3%?” if we got 97% in an exam. Or, “Why not a First Class” when it was a 2:1. I remember when we'd get our school results and you'd ask us every single one of us to bring our results. That was judgement day for me, I did NOT do great in school. Or when you were Church police and asked to check our Church notes!!

You always made the time whenever I wanted to sit and chat. Your office door was always open. You were so selfless, even when tired, you put others before you.

You were supposed to see me off to University, you were supposed to be a phonecall away when uni life wasn’t cutting it. We were supposed to have those girly chats about boys (although Pastor didn’t do a bad job at that ;))You were supposed to see me graduate. You were among the people I was supposed to call when I landed a new job.

Mummy B you live on. I won’t ever forget your last words to me:

(Paraphrased - she was addressing something particular I was involved in and had just started and felt unsure about) “You may see yourself growing and advancing faster than others who have been doing it longer than you, but don’t look back in hesitation, rather keep going. Keep growing”

Pastor Bola Ojo….Rest On In Paradise

http://bola-ojo.memory-of.com/