Mme oaka (my mother), I struggle to put my thoughts in order on paper as you made me promise to never inherit your habit.
“Do not take everything to heart like me,” you said. How exactly did you want me to do this? Allow me just this once to take this to heart as it might be the only way I find fitting to honour the Queen that you are.
The greatest lesson from you was to respect my kids, funny because I thought it is the other way around. You had principles supported by the book of books when it orders fathers against angering their children. Thank you for the respect you proudly showed us mama. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you continuously refuse to give up on the ones you loved. Remember how many businesses you opened for me? my little shoe business, my earnings business, and your favorite, my mobile home wear store. You made me try them all and no matter how many times I failed you never gave up on me. To date I wonder what you saw in me. I promise to continue with the quest till I find out the person you wanted to bring out of me.In instances where I had an opportunity to curse, you would calmly say “never pray extensively about someone you are mad at. You might not be able to live with the answer to such a prayer. Your calm spirit never ceased to amaze me. You had quite a strength, unshakable faith that carried you through storms. Thank you for giving me the ability to smile through life’s most unbearable pains. I will miss your strong voice,your advice but mostly I will miss the way you loved. You turned out home into a second church session as you would bring your church friends home with and serve them our last meals with a smile. Yet time and again God provided.Your farewell was beautiful mama, your friends, daughters (from church) and our community made sure that your home was clean everyday. It gave me peace knowing that you are probably correcting them, saying it’s not clean enough. Rest well knowing that your work followed you.
As I bid you final goodbye, I want to assure you that as hurt as I am, nothing can never take from the peace that you left me with. I now strive like you to find peace even in the ugliest situations. Thank you so much for all your life lessons, your love but mostly thank you for giving me the biggest gift “knowledge about God” I shall serve Him till the dying day. Oh and thank you for your other self, your twin sister. I’ll be loving her more from now on.
Daughter: Asakhe Mtuze
