Goodbye, my angel !

"You were the best thing that ever happened to me. God pampered us with the very best of moms."

What a privilege it was to call you "mom!"
You were my angel --- my life and my living hope.
And oh, why do you stare at me in disbelief? Is it because l call you "angel?"

What new proof must l give to convince you that you were indeed our guardian angel?

You were a rainbow of kindness; a bouquet of bravery! As long as your colors adorn the Eastern sky, we had nothing to fear. We were safe under your wings, sufficient in your arms.

You were a mother of the highest quality ---- that's how lucky we were!

Were you not our father, mother, friend, teacher and everything? Say so, if it is not true!

Now you are blushing! And see how those silky angelic eyes glitter still with pure radiance even in death!

You were the tenderest thing we touched; the softest voice we heard; the loveliest eyes we looked into; the biggest heart that ever loved us. You were the motivation that flowed into every sinew of our bodies.

See how your smile light up the sky still? But wait, and let me continue.

Your anger was rare, and it vanished quickly too --- in a flash! It was really no anger at all, for you were incapable of anger. Nothing was stronger than your gentleness, or greater than your patience no matter how precarious.

Your world didn't tumble down in difficult times. You fought back our difficult years with all your angelic strength. You rumbled through the dessert looking for food like a tiger hunting for game to feed her young.

Oh, how strong, how elegant, how majestic and nimble-footed you were in your stride, and how firm, those little fingers that carried the spoil home!

You were the key that unlocked our potential. You laid a new foundation for our children and their children's children; you --- our dearest mom --- whose remains lie in this white casket before our watery eyes.

With your tiny little hands, you worked the earth to put food on the table. Early in the morning before the first ray of light, and before the cock crow, while we were still snoring and tossing on our beds, you were already on your way to the farm.

You fastened rubber sandals on your feet to aid your gentle sprint. Then you disappeared into the bushes --- lost among the trees --- you left the busy world behind.

You were only thinking about us.
Look at the light in your eyes. Of course you remember!

You walked many miles all alone in the thicket beyond "Azizaglo Kope", sometimes in the rain, soaked to the marrow with chills---- your rosary in your hand ---- while a large pan containing water and farm tools dangled on your angelic head.

Your dress and feet were drenched by the cold morning dew upon the bushes, and your face interlaced by cobwebs that serenade early trekkers on lonely walkways and deserted footpaths.

Yet still, you conducted this routine as if your whole life depended on it. Angel, have you forgotten that sometimes, you went to the farm in the afternoon too, no matter how tired you were?

And your heart would leap for joy, once the day's work was done. You returned home, happy at your conquest, thrilled by the day's accomplishment.

Those were our difficult years, but you faced them alone --- poor woman! Thank God you knew how to pray.

Your rosary was your charm, your angelic amulet. You touched it with so much reverence. Clutching it, you ran to God on your feeble knees, and there, you poured your tears into his strong, comforting arms.

Singlehandedly, you served us for years without number, and without grumbling. You looked after grandchildren, nieces and nephews too. You even looked after your son-in-law. Say so, if is not true!

And yes! What about your table store in front of the Post Office? Was it for yourself that you started that venture? Was it not to raise a little money to pay school fees, and put food on the table?

You sold biscuits, toffees, soap, salt, indeed anything you could lay your hands on, to create a future for us and hope for our children's children.

Oh, "Sister," let my tears flow like a river into your lovely face. Let no one stop me. Losing you is like losing my life.

You wasted your life and your strength unreservedly on us, thinking about us, praying for us, serving us, loving us.

And your God did not disappoint you. He rewarded you with long life, grace and favor. You lived long to see your grandchildren and your great grand children. You devoted most of your time interceding for them, loving them, telling them great stories.

On the night of the 6th of October, when you took your last breadth, it was on the wings of prayer that the angels escorted you home.

You wanted to say goodbye so much you waited for my appearance. And once we were together again, you bowed out in dignity, escorted home by prayers and by the angels.

Now you are back home to your Maker. May heaven's singing band escort you through the golden streets of heaven into the presence of the living God. Your night is over. Your day has just begun.

Henceforth, you will live in the courts of God and flourish forever like the stars in the presence of the Lily of the Valley and the Bright Morning Star.

Goodbye, my dearest angel.
Thank you.
May your sweet, gentle soul find rest beyond the river, in the Lord's eternal embrace.

Amen!