Teresa Oloke Iyamah

Tribute to my beloved sister, Teresa Iyamah

It's still like a dream the way you passed on to your heavenly home... I'm still waiting to wake up from my dream. Even though I find it difficult to accept the reality, I have to tell myself it's true, "Sister" as I would fondly called you, is not coming back to Nigeria again.

I weep, I Sop, I wail, because d way u exited, without a goodbye and a recent word from u, makes me grief even the more.

What can I do, what shall I say? I can't question the Almighty. He (God), Whom u served so passionately, dedicated, heartily and devotedly, loves u more and thought it was time u came home to Him in heaven. HEAVEN, where there is no pain, no sickness, problems of d world, u flew away with God's Angels that fateful night unannounced.

Sister, You were such a wonderful person, in all ramifications. You were more than an elder sister to us - your siblings. To us, You were our Mother. You will painstakingly ask after everyone either on phone or by one on one visitation while u were in Nigeria with us. And when u relocated to America, it was no different, you were constantly in touch with us all. And that was why I became so worried about ur sudden silence. I knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out until I heard the unfortunate illness.

Sister, u are strong, tough and Victorious. U defeated sickness as u came out of it. I learnt u got well and discharged from hospital. In the comfort of ur home, u decided to check out of this world on ur own accord, the exit of a Champion, a conqueror over Death.

I'm consoled with the fact that you loved and served God with your life and time on Earth.

Without any iota of don't, I know u re with Jesus your Saviour.

We Shall uphold your legacies Sister. The advice you gave me during your last visit to Nigeria in 2014, I shall keep them to heart. Your motherly role during my wedding I shall never forget. You escorted me to my matrimonial home on the eve of my wedding, bought me the traditional items that I needed to take along to my husband's house.

Sister, how much I can I say and write? Words are competing with words in my mind, memories with memories as I reflect on the times we spent together.... Is it your sweet meals I enjoyed as I will run to your room on my return from school and after I got married, I shall always remember.

The sweet yam and egg stew, d African Banga soup u prepared so well that we couldn't stop asking for more?

Sister, You were also a Politician in your own way. We would talk and discuss politics, about the government of Nigeria, the economy, and every government of the day. The Most recent was the last election that brought President Buhari to power.....

Sister, how can I forget the meat pie, Cakes, meat rolls Days.....Sometimes, Maltida, Jessica and I would remember how we used to help u out in those days as u baked. We will help to pack the meat pies, Meat rolls, etc, before supplies.

Those wonderful memories will forever linger on and on in our minds and hearts.

Know this for a fact that we all loved u and still loves u. U are not dead, u are alive with Jesus. U Only relocated to ur permanent home and at d last day in the resurrection morning, at d marriage super with the Bridegroom we Shall all meet again to part no more...

Adieu, my sister, my friend and mother!

Joy