"I Choose To Celebrate My Mom"  – Tonto Dikeh Mourns Late Mother

Nollywood actress and evangelist Tonto Dikeh has paid an emotional tribute to her late mother, describing the day as one of the most painful of her life.

In a post on her Instagram page on Wednesday, she reflected on her loss and chose to celebrate her mother's life rather than mourn her death.

Tonto shared that for 37 years, she never knew what it felt like to call someone "Mom," and she now understands how precious that word truly is.

She futurged those who still have their mothers to honor and cherish them, noting that even the little disagreements become cherished memories.

She wrote:
"Today happens to be one of the most painful days of my life. Yet, stepping into God's grace has taught me that even in the deepest pain, I must learn to trust the Lord and surrender to His will. So today, instead of mourning the woman who was taken from me by death, I choose to celebrate her. I celebrate her strength. I celebrate her beautiful heart. I celebrate her unwavering faith and the way she carried herself before God. Today, I celebrate my mom."

"For 37 years, I lived without ever knowing what it felt like to call someone 'Mom.' And now, I understand just how precious that word truly is. If you are blessed to still have your mother with you, please honor her. Love her. Appreciate her. Call her. Hold her a little tighter. Forgive the little disagreements. Cherish the ordinary moments, because one day, those little fights and those huge expressions of love may become the very memories you would give anything to experience again."

"I would give anything to be you right now to hear your voice, to have those little fights, to feel that huge love, and simply to have one more moment with you. But today, I choose gratitude over grief. I choose to celebrate the life you lived, the love you gave, and the faith you left behind. Love your parents. Honor them while you still can. Mom, wherever you are, I hope you know that you are loved, missed, and forever carried in my heart. Love and light."