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Epitaph to Mother at my 70th Birthday! (Yoruba Translation)

Epitaph to Mother at my 70th Birthday!

(Translated into Yoruba)

Ìyá: Àjà Keje

“Gbogbo ohun tí mo jẹ́, tàbí tí mo ń lérò láti jẹ́, mo jẹ ẹ́ ní gbèsè fún ìyá mi, áńgẹ́lì mi.”

                                            I

Lónìí, àádọ́rin ọdún sẹ́yìn, èmi àti Màmá wà lórí ibùsùn ilé ìwòsàn;
Màmá ní: Kú àbọ̀ ọmọ mi!
Màmá ní, fetí sí àwọn ìlànà mi, kí o sì ṣọ́ ìwà rẹ dáadáa ọmọ mi!
Màmá ní, bí o bá tẹ́tí sílẹ̀, bí o bá tẹ̀lé àwọn òfin Bíbélì, bí o bá ṣe sí àwọn ẹlòmíràn bí o ṣe fẹ́ kí wọ́n ṣe sí ọ, yóò dára fún ọ, Ọmọ mi!
Màmá ní, ka àwọn Sáàmù rẹ, kí o sì fiyè déédé sí Sáàmù 23, 41, 48, 91, àti 116, nítorí wọn yóò fún ọ ní okun nígbà tí ìjì ayé bá ń jà, Ọmọ mi!

                                            II

Háà, Màmá: láti Mainland Hospital ní àdúgbò Surulere, Èkó, títí dé Greenwood Memorial Park, ní Renton, Washington?
Ìrìn-àjò wo ló dà bí èyí, láti ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ dé òpin, àkókò ológo wo la jọ gbádùn kí ẹ tó re ibi àgbà ń rè ní ọjọ́ kẹwàá, oṣù kẹrin, ọdún 2013; Màmá?
Háà, Màmá: Mo ṣì rántí àwọn ìkìlọ̀ yín: ọmọ mi, ṣọ́ ìwà rẹ; ṣọ́ bí o ṣe ń bá ènìyàn sọ̀rọ̀, ṣọ́ra kí o má ṣe ṣẹni, kí o má sì lo àkókò tí ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ yóò bá ọ pín ní ìrìn-àjò tó ń bọ̀ nílòkulò?
Háà Màmá: Mo rántí pé ẹ sọ pé ìrìn-àjò ayé yóò dàbí “Yo-Yo”, òkè àti àfonífojì, kòtò àti pẹ̀tẹ́lẹ̀, gígun àti sísọ̀; ṣùgbọ́n, bí o bá dúró gbọn-in, tí o sì ní ìforítì, gbogbo rẹ̀ yóò dára?

                                            III

Fún àádọ́rin ọdún, Màmá: Àwọn àsọtẹ́lẹ̀ yín ṣì dúró bí òtítọ́ gidi!
Fún àádọ́rin ọdún, Màmá: Mo lọ sí ilé-ìwé alákọ̀ọ́bẹ̀rẹ̀, girama, àti kọ́lẹ́jì!
Fún àádọ́rin ọdún, Màmá: Mo gba ìwé-ẹ̀rí girama, oyè kọ́lẹ́jì, oyè àkọ́kọ́, oyè méjì mìíràn àti oyè Ọ̀mọ̀wé (Doctorate)!
Fún àádọ́rin ọdún, Màmá: Mo kọ́ni ní kọ́lẹ́jì, mo kọ ìwé márùn-ún, mo ran àwọn ọmọ ẹlòmíràn lọ́wọ́ láti mọ "A, B, D" wọn àti láti kọ ìwé tiwọn, nítorí ìgboyà, ìforítì, àti ìfọkànsìn tí ẹ gbin sínú mi!
Fún àádọ́rin ọdún mo sọ pé ẹ ṣeun, nígbà mìíràn, mo sì gbàgbé láti dúpẹ́ fún gbogbo ohun tí ẹ ṣe, ìyá-ara-ẹni tí ẹ jẹ, ìgbàgbọ́ yín tó lágbára tó sì ń ranni, ìfọkànsìn yín àti ní paríparí, ìránnilétí yín: Pé nígbà tí gbogbo wa bá péjọ ní ẹsẹ̀ Olúwa wa Jésù Kírísítì, a ó ni ìrírí ayọ̀ ti mímọ̀ àti sísin-in nípasẹ̀ ìran ènìyàn!

                                            IV

Màmá, mo ní ìbéèrè díẹ̀ nípa ayé?
Màmá: Kí ló dé tí ìjì fi jà líle tó báyìí? Kí ló dé tí ìjì mẹ́ta fi wà, ìjì tí kò dáríjini, nígbà tí ojú ọ̀run ṣú, tí mo sì wà láìlè-dá-nǹkan-ṣe, tí n kò lè yí ipa ìjì náà padà, tàbí yí ipa ọ̀nà ìgbàgbọ́ padà? Tí n kò lè di àwọn olùfẹ́ mi mú: Franka, Funmi àti Biyi?
Màmá: Ikú bẹ̀ mí wò lẹ́ẹ̀mẹ́ta ní àkókò tí mo ṣe aláìlera jùlọ, yàtọ̀ sí tiyín àti ti Bàbá?
Màmá: Gbogbo ìgbà tí àwọn ìjì aláìlaanú wọ̀nyí ń jà; N kò mọ ohun tí mà á ṣe?
Màmá: Ṣé èyí wà lára ìwé ìtàn náà ni?
Màmá: Ṣé èyí wà lára ìránnilétí yín: Níwàláàyè àti ní kíkú, gbogbo rẹ̀ yóò dára?
Màmá: Kí ló dé tí kò fi sí àwòrán ọ̀nà (map) fún ayé, níísinsìnyí àti ní àádọ́rin ọdún sẹ́yìn?
Màmá: Bóyá àwòrán ọ̀nà ìbá ti wúlò?

                                            V

Màmá: Ní ìrònú jinlẹ̀, nígbà tí fèrè ìkẹyìn bá dún?
Màmá: Nígbà tí gbogbo àwọn ènìyàn mímọ́ tí wọ́n ti lọ ṣáájú bá péjọ ní ẹsẹ̀ Olúwa wa, Jésù Kírísítì?
Màmá: Kí a lè bá wa, kí a funfun bí ẹ̀jẹ̀ níwájú ìtẹ́ oore-ọ̀fẹ́.
Kí gbogbo ìlérí Ọlọ́run lè di pípé nínú fífọ àwọn ẹ̀ṣẹ̀ wa tí ó ti wọ̀ wá lára mọ́, kí ó sọ wọ́n di funfun bíi yìnyín láti inú pípọ́n bí òdòdó, nípasẹ̀ oore-ọ̀fẹ́ àti ìdáríjì Rẹ̀!
Mo fẹ́ràn yín títí láé, Màmá!
Màmá: Ẹ sùn re o, kí ẹ sùn fọnfọn, kí Ọlọ́run sì wà pẹ̀lú yín!

---

 

Epitaph to Mother at my 70th Birthday! (1956 – 2026)

 Mother: The Seventh Floor 

 @2026

 

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother" 

I

70 years today, Ma and me were in a hospital bed;

Ma, said: welcome son!

Ma said, listen to my instructions and be careful how you behave son!

Ma said, if you listen, if you follow the precepts of the Bible, if you do unto others the way you want done to you, it will be well, Son!

Ma said, read your Psalms, pay strict attention to Psalm 23, 41, 48, 91, and 116, for they will strengthen your path during the most turbulent times, Son!

II

Whoa, Ma: from little neighborhood Mainland Hospital Suru-lere, Lagos, to Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton, Washington?

What a trip we’ve had, from the beginning to an end, what a glorious time we enjoyed before you exited on April 10, 2013; Ma?

Whoa, Ma: I still remember your instructions: son be careful how you behave; be careful how you talk to people, be careful not to offend and abuse the times and moments many will share with you on the journey, ahead?

Whoa Ma: I remember you said the journey of life was going to be like a “Yo-Yo”, mountains and valleys, topsy-turvy, ups and downs; however, if you remain strong and resilient, all will be well?

III

For 70 years, Ma: Your predictions remain the holy grail!

For 70 years, Ma: I went to grade school, high school and then college!

For 70 years, Ma: I acquired high school diploma, college degrees, one bachelor, two masters and a Doctorate!

For 70 years, Ma: I taught college, wrote five books, help other people’s children learn the ABC's and write their own books, because of the courage, resilience and dedications you instilled in me!

For 70 years I said thank you and sometimes, I forgot to thank you for all you did, your sacrifice, your brilliant and infectious faith, your commitment and finally your reminder: When we all get together at the foot of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will experience the joy of knowing and serving him through mankind! 

IV

Ma, I have a few questions about life?

Ma: Why did the storms raged so hard? Why were there three storms, unforgiven storms, when the clouds went dark and I remain completely helpless, unable to change the tides of the storms, nor the direction of faith? Unable to hold on to my loved ones: Franka, Funmi and Biyi?

Ma: Death visited me thrice during very vulnerable times apart from you and dads?

Ma: Every time these unforgiving storms happened; I had no clues what to do?

Ma: Was this part of the scripts?

Ma: Was this part of your reminder: In living and dying, all is well?

Ma: Why was there no road map to life, now and 70 years ago?

Ma: Maybe a road map would have been useful? 

V

Ma: In reflection, when the last trumpet calls?

Ma: When all the saints that have gone before gather at the foot of our Lord, Jesus Christ?

Ma: May we all be found, white as a scarlet before the throne of grace

May all God’s promise be perfected in cleansing our ingrained sins, transforming them from crimson red to pure white like snow through his grace and forgiveness!

I love you forever, Ma!

Ma: Goodnight, sleep tight and God’s Speed!

 

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool (Isiah 1:18).

 

  

IN MEMORIAM

@2020

Good morning Mom, how is life in paradise?

Woke up this morning and knew you’ve been gone 7 years?

Yes, JANUARY 1, 1929 – APRIL 10, 2013!

What a time we shared together; what golden moments we had?

Our cherished moments for 57 years we cannot replace, but savor, now?

Sometimes I still imagine, what else could we have done together, you were fun to be with!

I remember those short walks, beautiful gardens at Ojuelegba round about, the Binney Zoo in Yaba, the National Museum in Onikan! What a blast, we had!

I remember our shopping at Dosumu, Mariner, Oju-Olobun, Ita-faji!

I remember the bus rides to school, Yaba, Aiyetoro and Bariga!

I remember you saying, when the storms rage, there will be those days, be still son, for he’s in control!

I remember you asking that we keep the faith, keep resilient, and never give-up!

I remember your smiles, your occasional winces, and your re-assurance, that all will be well!

Thank you for being my mother, thank you for being warm, friendly and resourceful!

Life has not been the same since you’ve been gone!

You’ll be proud of what I did with the kids!

I don’t know if I got it right, you know how sloppy I am!

I still pray Psalms: 23, 41, 48, 91 and 116!

I know the Lord is our shepherd and we shall not want!

I remember you today as always, Mom!

I know we’ll gather together in paradise as Christ promises!

To sing Halleluiah, the way you always did, during those quiet moments of prayers!

What a faithful daughter of Christ you’re!

I love you mom!

RIP!

In MEMORIAM 

@2021

8th Year and Counting.

 

Remembering mother today, May 11, 2021, does not alleviate or satisfy the grief;

 They claim the dead are not asleep, the Bible says they are, asleep in the Lord!

So, l believe that Mama is asleep in the Lord, eight years after laying her to rest;

They say the dead are thousand winds that blow, blowing far, far-away, everywhere;

So, l believe, Mama is the wind that blows everywhere, enveloping the landscape, we cannot hold;

They say the dead are like diamonds that glitters in the snow;

So, l believe Mama is diamond, her memory glitters like snow and grieving for her, hardly abates;

They say the dead are like the sun on ripened grain;

So, l believe Mama’s smiles and encouragements, while with us, are sufficient enough to brighten our tomorrow;

They say the dead are like gentle autumn rain;

So, l believe Mama’s gentle smiles, while with us, are sufficient, gentler than the autumn rain, persistent like the noon time summer sunshine.

 

Mama, when we awaken on the day of resurrection, when all Saints arise as Jesus Christ promises, remember to torch my face, l’ll like to know you, and see you again!

Mama, when we awaken on the day of resurrection, when there will be no more crying, sorrows or gnashing of teeth, l’ll love to experience the rush of your motherly love, again!

Mama, the birds are still singing in the trees, the hummingbirds are still humming, so, l remember your humming and singing of the Psalms that sweetens my soul, again and again!

Mama, do not let the intransigent persist, nor evil triumph, for their crafts persist in your absence, again and again!

Mama, Momo, let’s rejoice for a moment, for resurrection day is closer every day, again and again!

 

Rest In Peace!!

I believe grieving the dead is central to human experience; and depicts the substance we all are made off. So, if you grief someone you love, do not feel awkward; it’s part of being human!

Ode to a Mother on the 10th Year Anniversary

In memorial

1929 -2013

Good Morning mother, how is Paradise?

It’s been ten years since you’ve been gone!

Yes, April 10th 2013 – 2023

Oh, how I miss your ebony shinning face and smiles;

Oh, how I miss your motherly love, winces and grimaces;

Oh, how I miss your daily hour of prayers and encouragement;

Oh, how I miss the bond that bind us all in Christ!

Mother, I often imagine that the bond that bind us together was tough;

Mother, I often imagine, the bond may be stretched, pulled, but will never snap;

Mother, I often imagine that brother and sisters will remain sincere and honest to the bind;

Mother, I often imagine that bond will neither tither, shake or break!

Alas, was I wrong: the will is missing, another remains unfound, both remain unsung;

Alas, was I misinformed, both wills are now a misery, unopened, unread, and unexecuted;

Alas, the powers that be, the movers and shakers from your womb, move the sword aimlessly and incautiously;

Alas your wishes remain untendered, dreams unfulfilled, and there is crying and snatching of teeth among the brethren;

Alas, the chicken landed on the ropes, titling and tenderly, without the peace you very much wanted.

Mother, while here, you said, Christ is the hope of the hopeless, mother to the motherless, father to the fatherless, and husband of widows;

The scriptures affirm, and I believe it!

Mother, while with us, you said, Christ forgives sinners and in time of ignorance, God Overlooks;

The scriptures affirm, and I believe it!

Mother, while on your knees, you said Christ is the last beacon of hope for the hopeless, the weak and defeated in spirit and those that are heavily laden;

The scriptures affirm, and l believe it!

Now, to all the saints that rest from the enclave, Dad, aunty Tuminu, uncle Femi, and uncle Dewunmi;

Say me well to them all, for as their sun stetted since you’ve been gone, I imagine their spirit rose to meet the face of Christ.

Now, to the saints called before you in the enclave, Grandpa Dawodu, Grandma Suzzana, and uncle Popo;

Say me well to them all, for as Christ Promises, we shall all meet to part no more at resurrection.

Ma, I hope I am holding us firm as your prayer; that I do not waiver in the times of storms; that at least, in my clumsiness, you can still be proud of me?

Good Night Ma, Rest in Peace.

All reactioby Ojeme and 27 othe

Revisiting Atlantic Monthly Journal's Publication: American Soldiers who die in wars are losers and suckers?

The shattering effect of the Atlantic Monthly journal’s article on Trump’s dramatic disparaging and castigation of many of America’s military heroes, and its possible impact on the campaign for 2020 White House oval office, is yet to be felt. The Atlantic Monthly Journal reported that Donald Trump has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of our service members; and, asked that wounded veterans, be kept away from official military parades. The slogan of all our military men and women is: "Aim High, Fly-Fight-Win" – Air Force; "Forged by the Sea" – Navy; "Army Strong" – Army; “The few, The Proud” – Marines; “Born Ready” – Coast Guard; say so much about endurance, respect, selflessness, perseverance, commitment and dedication to service; a brand that is not only unique, but sacrificial of the tenets of men and women, who once, and are currently, serving in the five arms of uniformed military service.  If Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States of America, a man who Article 11, section 2 of the US Constitution bestows the title of the Commander-In-Chief, does not understand patriotism in military service, Houston: America surely has a problem!

Trump’s denials after the snowball effect of the Atlantic Monthly article, and subsequent affirmation or confirmation of parts of the claim by FOXNEW-TV’s journalist, Jennifer Griffen, symbolizes an aphorism: In a divided nation and democracy, where the far-right ideology is hostile to the progressive left, it is possible for a presidency to degenerate to a calamity. In the mind of Donald Trump, fighting a war to protect and preserve America, is a futile effort, since the soldiers are gaining nothing financially for their efforts. For him, it is conceivable that our fallen heroes are losers are suckers, and need not be celebrated on Memorial Day or any other time, in the life of our nation

The furious Twitter denials and melt-down, calling for Jennifer Griffen be fired, can hardly set the damage aback. The documented disrespect of our veterans and hostility from Mr. Trump, who has a flair for despotic governments in Russia and N. Korea, say a lot about our civic classes in k-12 curriculum: they need to be re-vamped and our president re-educated. Here are documented disrespectful and vulgar statements attributed to the President of the United States: 1) McCain is not a war time hero; 2) Mattis is an over-rated [general]; 3) [General] Clapper is purely lying; 4) [General] Allen failed badly; 5) [General] Powell is highly over-rated; 6) [General] Nicholson, doesn’t know how to win; 7) [Commander] Crozer did a terrible thing; and, 8) Joint Chief of Staffs are dopes and babies. Statements which one of the best pilots in the history of America, Sully Sullenberger, observed, are made by someone, who: 1) “cannot understand selflessness because he is selfish; who cannot conceive of courage because he is a coward;” 2) “For the first time in American history, a president has repeatedly shown utter and vulgar contempt and disrespect for those who have served and died serving our country;”. These are damning observations. Whether they are going to matter much depends on how voters respond to the avid suggestion that : ” “[Americans], owe it not only to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, but to ourselves and to succeeding generations to vote him out.”

The blows to the reputation of men and women who serve in American military are probably striking, with all the fuss of coming from the Command-In-Chief. Not that America’s military men patriotism will be weakened; rather, it’s probably going to re-define, how the nation goes about picking her ‘Command-In-Chief’ of the future. Donald Trump’s presidency will be a stain on America’s democracy; however, patriots will still serve, generations of veterans will continue to save the world from ills of fascism, authoritarianism, socialism and communism, just the way many of them have done in the past. What will never be forgotten, is that, once upon a time, a President of the United States, surreptitiously bemoan the need for military service, disrespected and castigated military heroism as over- rated for his political and personal fortunes.  

To some extent, military services are not largely understood; and or, appreciated by some outside the industry. A couple Americans, out of ignorance of the place of the military in national life and security, are unable to fathom the selflessness of serving a cause greater than oneself, as a higher calling; one that transcends myopic selfishness in some individuals. Others, are unable to understand and or appreciate, why many Americans serve in the America’s armed forces. Frankly, ordinary american citizen’s experience of the military, come when there is hostility against the nation; and, because we operate a volunteer military service paradigm, a few of our citizens hardly understand the place of the military in America’s democracy. The vision of safety, readiness, triumph and victory found in military service in time of hostilities, must now be the revenge, against any disrespect or bemoaning of our president regarding the weight of sacrifice provided by service men and women in uniform. The renaissance of a time, when the military was the focal point of safety and protection of a nation, must be assuage, once again. Heroism of service in the military must now be acknowledge and respected, not assaulted, as in current disposition of our president.

Over the past three centuries, the heroism many Americans in uniform have endured, has largely been ignored by some. A few pacifists, who have not, or will not, serve in the military service, or who are completely oblivious of what the military does or stands for, are now becoming antagonistic to the gallantry of many who have served in military uniform. There is still heroism in serving America, a lot of respect from the populace at large for the services rendered by men and women in uniform. However, the surreptitious undermining of the efforts of military men and women, and the onus of skepticism of service, hardly negate the need, purpose and essence of a standing army, in a world of hostility and instability.

Since America has always been in the lead of many global affairs; and have been a force for good in bringing about peace across the globe, there will be a need for military service; and, there will always be many, in and out of America, who appreciates what men and women in American military do, to maintain world’s peace. The conflict of ideologies and pressures of impending wars, bring about intransigence that only an august outsider military body can resolve or dampen additional hostilities at many posts and countries with strives and wars. American military is a shining light on a beacon hill, a savior and a deliverer of many peoples and nations. But for America’s military, 1940’s and 1950’s fascism will still be, or have grown in Europe; the radical religious and land grabbing and or, race wars, will permeate further in the Middle-East; and, would probably have festered to a global menace, consuming more lives. Without America's military service in WWII, many European countries would have fallen into servitude – ask the French, the Polish, the British and more?

Donald Trump’s successor, will have to work double hard to brandish and expatiate on the selflessness entailed in those, who are, or have served, in the military service. He or she would have to re-affirm the place of an active military service and educate the public, that without the military, our democracy might be in jeopardy. To improve on citizens’ understanding of the place of military service in our democracy, the new team must reject the type of Trump’s disrespect, apprehension and denigration of our military generals; and, provide relevant information regarding how the military has kept our nation’s peace and safe.

Experiencing Donald Trump’s abhorrence of many of our military generals may have created an enigma, or shattered urge and denials of military service; however, the victories that America’s military have scored across the globe, the reliability of our service men and women, and laudable honor associated with their battle’s heroism, will continue to attract patriots and committed Americans to this nation’s military service. Trump’s disrespect may even end up provoking a serious debate on America’s volunteer military service dogma. We may have to go as far, as compulsory and committed and non-deferrable military service for all our citizens. Trump’s unscrupulous assessment of the place of military service and heroism, may start a new debate regarding the deferment or using frivolous excuses to obtain deferment of military service during the draft period.

For the 2020 general election American voter, the panorama of the current pro and con, of military heroism, may usher in new policy changes in American military service. The current black-eye from several unscrupulous denigration of military service and unfavorable and unsupportive statements or assessment of America’s military general from the Commander-In-Chief, may call for a new direction of our volunteer military services. The attempt to strip and disrespect our generals, heroes and rank and file or class men, of their lofty sacrifice, for personal political gain by Donald J. Trump in his re-election campaign, must now play into our voting booths’ choices. There must be a time of reckoning, a time to say, our heroes matter; citizens who volunteer in our military service arms matter, just as lives of all our minorities that have suffered humiliation and hostilities from bad policing, do.

Trump’s categorization of our generals as over-rated, liars, dopes and babies, must be called out. There must be a reckoning for those who do not appreciate our men and women in military service. As long as they put on the military uniform and volunteered their lives, they are to be appreciated, supported and acclaimed for their heroism. Their sacrifices to preserve life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, must be acknowledged. A nation’s leader, a president, must seek solidarity with the men and women in the armed forces, he or she may not decimate or disrespect the sacrifice they make and must not remain an obstacle to the well-intended vision and meaning of military service.

A president must seek harmony of peoples in the nation, instead of fraternization, as in the notion of White Supremacy. Americans who are well meaning, must now form an accord that respects our military service men and work, and seek to support a new president that cherishes hegemony,; a president who support building up of our peoples, construction rather than destruction, removing obstacles away from our state and local government; One, that does not see people(s) different from him or her in complexions, as outsiders and enemies; but fellow citizen. He or she must constantly and consistently oscillate towards all Americans, engaged in the works protecting and preserving the nation, men and women, seeking to make the future better than the ones handed to them. He or she must not always be one, so wanting to revisit the past as point of relevance on issues of advancement and development in multiple affairs of the nation.

America needs and deserves a president that is engaging in proactive policies, not one that is only concerned with the welfare of those in agreement with his or policies; or, ones, that are more obsessed about their looks; often disengaging and disparaging others that do not share, his or her, personal or political preferences and policies. Americans, minorities inclusive, must see themselves as welcomed, accommodated and judge by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. We must support our military, just as they fight to support us and preserve our nation. We must seek to remove barriers to harmony rather than dissipating our people and nation. We must seek a more amicable relationship and re-connection of all the races in this melting point, we all truly love and cherish as home. Never again should we have to offer a discontentment and disapproval of our Commander-In-Chief, as observed by Captain Sullenberger: “For the first time in American history, a president has repeatedly shown utter and vulgar contempt and disrespect for those who have served and died serving our country.” May God Bless America; and, save our Republic!