Iwuese Odenigbo

Ahhh, mummy.

To me, you are the greatest Elizabeth that ever liveth. You taught me love: you were the first person to say, “I love you” to me verbally, clearly, decades ago when it wasn’t the fashion to throw that phrase around. We were sat on the couch in Dogon Dutse Jos, there was no light as per usual. You were preparing us for your trip to Canada for your PhD and you said, “No matter where I am girls, know that I will always love you. You hear, I will always love you”. What you did that day was give us the freedom to always say to each other how much we loved each other. You made our home, our lives a secure place so that we had freedom of self, freedom of expression, in a society obsessed with trying to restrict us. Your love, our home was so secure that it wasn’t afraid of opposing ideas, open dialogue or conflict; because we had/have the confidence that the love we shared/share as a family was unbreakable. You were progressive before it became the fashion and still there was no doubt that you were a grounded woman of faith.

Sometimes, even to present day when I am overwhelmed I’d think, “Who sat and watched my infant head when sleeping on my cradle bed? My mother.” Because at my most vulnerable moments my go to safe space is in the warmth of being your baby. When life or the children frustrate me I will say, “Ahh, I have a mother too oh!” Hmmmm

All this one I am writing is just to boast to other people because in my life time I told you every time how much I loved you. Also, how do you capture a lifetime of life and love on one page?

The last thing you heard me say to you in this lifetime is “Love you mummy”. I still say it to you every single day. I talk to you everyday. I will carry you with me all the days of my life, till we meet to part no more. Love you mummy.