On this 23rd day of May!

A few years ago, my siblings and I agreed that we would always gather and celebrate our parents' birthdays. On the 23rd day of May 2017,Baaba made 70 years...we gathered to celebrate his birthday on the 27th of May 2017! Like on so many of our family gatherings...we held a service which Maama requested my dear husband Topher to lead. Topher chose a reading from the book of Romans , Chapter 4 Vs 16 to the end. Following the reading we sang hymns:My hope is built on nothing less' and Baaba's favourite hymn...' Through all the changing scenes of life', among many others. My sister Jovia led us in a prayer over Baaba...it was a powerful prayer covering all aspects of Baaba's life. Our preacher for the day, my dear husband Topher could not have chosen a better theme....confident hope. Baaba was a very hopeful man! He was very happy that Topher had chosen to talk about hope. In his speech he shared testimonies of things he had overcome through hope in God. He appreciated us for taking time to be with them saying that loneliness was a serious disease to people in old age. He explained that in life, you start off single, get married...have children who later leave you and then your spouse eventually leaves you too leaving you alone. At the time he said this...I did not think he would be taken away from us so soon! He always believed and confessed countless times that he would live up to 120 years. Not only did he believe that he'd live till then ….he adopted a very healthy lifestyle ….careful about what he exposed himself to. He read so much about healthy living often sharing articles with us through e-mail! I thank God for his last birthday party....it was in many ways different from any other and it's one of the many memories I will always cherish. For this celebration which would turn out to be his last, my sister-in law, Theo suggested that a professional photographer be invited to take pictures... even suggesting the possible group photos. She was not around at the time but we followed through with her suggestion and made memories of that day! I miss my Baaba terribly....not a day goes by without thinking about him! I want to emulate him in so many ways... the greatest of which is confident hope which made him dare to dream! Baaba was full of ideas....he inspired and motivated us whenever we chatted with him! I miss our phone calls and that hearty laugh...however stressed I was...a call to my Baaba always left me happier and re-energized. On this 23rd day of May 2018 when we'd be celebrating Baaba's 71st birthday....we are truly grateful to all God's people who have been and continue to be there for us and particularly Maama. Those who have said a prayer, those who have visited and spent time with her, those who have sent her encouraging messages, those who continue to help her to rediscover meaning in life....we thank you so much. Whenever I pass by the blood bank and ponder it's inaccessibility by public transport I cannot help thinking about the many people who responded to our call to donate O negative blood when we needed it. We are forever grateful and deeply indebted to them. That act of kindness will never be forgotten! Whenever I learn about a call for donation of that rare blood....I mobilize my brothers who are happy to help whenever they can. Baaba, we love you and miss you so much. We are comforted by the fact that you are in God's presence and we'll meet you again someday. We are looking after Maama the best way we can...and our prayer for her and all of us is that God Himself will fill the void that you left. Rest in peace our dearest!