05-03 2021 21:41
wrote:
Tribute to my beautiful Great Niece
I am still trying to process the passing of this virtuous woman (My young niece). About one week prior to receiving a heart-breaking text message from her younger sister Nimi about her passing, I had spoken to Tonye on the phone while she was in Lagos. Her voice was resonant with a firm assurance that God was in control and that she will make it. I had no iota of doubt in my mind that a miracle had been performed in her life given the stage of her ailment. This was the reason the text message announcing her passing, was like a phantasma or a hideous dream to me. I feel like I am still dreaming, and the nightmare will soon be over.
But this is a painful reality! As I seek to find peace in this searing loss, I feel waves of grief over Tonye’s life cut short. I recall in 1978, my second year in the University, I was staying in their family home in Ikoyi doing my vacation job. I remember one of her favorite songs then: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yeah, yeah, we wept and we remembered Zion” Whenever the song played, Nimi, her younger sister over dramatized the affect with her lady-like moves, while Tonye meditatingly tapped her fingers as if she was gathering momentum to preach a melodious sermon from a flowering tree outside the window. It appeared as if she knew from the outset of her calling to be a pastor.
I recall when I took Tonye and Nimi to Falomo shopping center and pose the question to them: “what will I buy for you?” Nimi went for the big stuff, while Tonye conservatively went for the budget. Tonye had the unperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. She approached life with perseverance, calm wisdom and quiet speech. Her outward appearance always reflected the beauty of character that all who knew her saw clearly. “The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4) was her best jewelry and make-up she could possibly wear. Her appearance was modest in every way.
Her love for her immediate and extended family was the core of who she was. She gave much and asked for little in return. At a time when many of us were busy with our life’s schedules, Tonye pondered and thoughtfully established the first extended family WHATSAPP forum. Tonye had no need for airs and graces, what you saw is what you get, and what you got was a big warm smile, genuine and full of love. Tonye was never judgmental and loved people for what they were.
Tonye leaves behind a lasting legacy of a close-knit, caring extended family and we owe it to her to carry on supporting one another, so that our memory of her will not fade, but grow and fonder as time goes by. Our sorrow will not give way to despair knowing that we will meet her again come resurrection in an environment where pain and death will be no more. (Rev. 21:4) “And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things have passed away”
Adieu my beloved virtuous niece! Vin Chijioke Egbuchulam
05-03 2021 21:41
wrote:
Tribute to my beautiful Great Niece
I am still trying to process the passing of this virtuous woman (My young niece). About one week prior to receiving a heart-breaking text message from her younger sister Nimi about her passing, I had spoken to Tonye on the phone while she was in Lagos. Her voice was resonant with a firm assurance that God was in control and that she will make it. I had no iota of doubt in my mind that a miracle had been performed in her life given the stage of her ailment. This was the reason the text message announcing her passing, was like a phantasma or a hideous dream to me. I feel like I am still dreaming, and the nightmare will soon be over.
But this is a painful reality! As I seek to find peace in this searing loss, I feel waves of grief over Tonye’s life cut short. I recall in 1978, my second year in the University, I was staying in their family home in Ikoyi doing my vacation job. I remember one of her favorite songs then: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yeah, yeah, we wept and we remembered Zion” Whenever the song played, Nimi, her younger sister over dramatized the affect with her lady-like moves, while Tonye meditatingly tapped her fingers as if she was gathering momentum to preach a melodious sermon from a flowering tree outside the window. It appeared as if she knew from the outset of her calling to be a pastor.
I recall when I took Tonye and Nimi to Falomo shopping center and pose the question to them: “what will I buy for you?” Nimi went for the big stuff, while Tonye conservatively went for the budget. Tonye had the unperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. She approached life with perseverance, calm wisdom and quiet speech. Her outward appearance always reflected the beauty of character that all who knew her saw clearly. “The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4) was her best jewelry and make-up she could possibly wear. Her appearance was modest in every way.
Her love for her immediate and extended family was the core of who she was. She gave much and asked for little in return. At a time when many of us were busy with our life’s schedules, Tonye pondered and thoughtfully established the first extended family WHATSAPP forum. Tonye had no need for airs and graces, what you saw is what you get, and what you got was a big warm smile, genuine and full of love. Tonye was never judgmental and loved people for what they were.
Tonye leaves behind a lasting legacy of a close-knit, caring extended family and we owe it to her to carry on supporting one another, so that our memory of her will not fade, but grow and fonder as time goes by. Our sorrow will not give way to despair knowing that we will meet her again come resurrection in an environment where pain and death will be no more. (Rev. 21:4) “And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things have passed away”
Adieu my beloved virtuous niece! Vin Chijioke Egbuchulam
