Mommy, Mama; those are the two names that I fondly called you. Where do I start to write a tribute to you. Mama, you were the best mother I could have asked for. You were loving, kind, sacrificial, humble, hardworking, gracious and beautiful. Mommy you were beautiful inside and outside.
Mommy you were a mother to all your extended family and friends. You took care of orphans. You fed, counseled and nurtured us and our friends. You embraced children like you were their birth mother. Every child that passed through your hand you treated well without discrimination. I remember how caring you were to all the Cameroonians in Abidjan. You were quite young then but because of your motherly nature they all called you Mama Ntumngia, you were “their mother in Ivory Coast.”
As a child whenever I had a problem, I will run to Mama for she solved all problems. When I was sick, you were beside me daily and you never showed any doubt that I won’t recover. You baked all our birthday cakes from scratch with no measurements & they always came out perfect, people thought they were bought from the bakery. You were a phenomenal cook, every time there was Njangi in our house people knew they will eat well.
You encouraged me to be a doctor, without you and Daddy’s guidance I probably won’t have been a doctor today. When I was in medical school and was having difficulties in my surgical rotation, you encouraged me tremendously. You told me that I was having difficulties for I was afraid. That’s when you told me about Psalm 91 (your favorite Psalm), you encouraged me to read it daily and to stand on it. I did and I excelled in that rotation.
You taught me how to be a good wife and mother by leading by example. One of the best things I liked about you is that you always found something good to say about people. You didn’t speak negatively about people.
When you fell ill, I saw that warrior spirit in you. You fought hard until the last day. My only solace is that you are now resting with the Lord. You are reunited with Daddy and Neba. Greet Daddy and Neba for us.
Adieu Mama, till we meet again.