Mother: The Seventh Floor
@2026
“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother"
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!
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).
