MAMA: Your Name Regina means “The Queen” in law.
Today I stand to honor the woman whose love build the foundation
of my life – My Mother.
Today we lay you to rest but we cannot lay to rest the legacy of love
sacrifice, and strength you left behind.
Life dealt you a cruel hand early. Widowed young and left to face
the world with children to raise. Not schooled you had every reason
to give up. But in the midst of a wicked environment and against all
odds, you stood tall. You refused to let bitterness define you just as
you refused to let poverty define us. I remembered how I backed my
siblings while you fetch bush mangoes deep in the Ekoko forest,
under the rain to raise funds for my school fees.
You became both mother and father. While others saw lack, you
saw possibility, while others saw fear you saw hope. You worked,
you prayed, you sacrificed so that your children would not be limited
by your circumstances.
Because of you.
I stand here as a lawyer.
My brother an environmental scientist
Our last born is a nurse, healing others as you healed us.
And the rest of our siblings are happily building homes of their
own and raising generational leaders.
You did not just raised children you raised purpose you raised
dignity, you raised hope, you raised people who would give back
to the world.
And like the Dorcas in the bible, you were known for your good
works and for sharing whatever you had. Your doors were
never closed. Your hands were never empty. You gave evenwhen you had little, because you understand that love is
measured not by what you keep, but by what you give. This
teaching of yours had been the driving force that propels my
success wherever I go. No doubt upon getting to know of your
sudden demised MAMA hear what your Etoko people said about
you through the social media “the passing of Mama Regina
marks a profoundly sad moment for our entire community.
She was a generous and open – hearted woman,
welcoming, kind and a true mother of modern Etoko
history. Her life was iconic in its own right and her impact
will continue to echo through generations. Mama, may
your gentle soul rest in peace. We, your children love you
dearly but God loves you even more …………. Rest in peace
(RIP) Mami farmer”.
Mama, you suffered in silence so we could laugh freely, you went
without so we could go forward. You fought battles alone so we could
walk into rooms with our heads high. We will miss you deeply, but
we take comfort in knowing that you fought a good fight and left a
legacy that lives in us all.
We are your proof that a mother’s love cannot be defeated by
widowhood, by betrayal or by hardship. You turned pain into
purpose and struggle into success.
Rest now our Dorcas, rest our warrior, rest our foundation.
Heaven has gained an angel, and we have gained a legacy we will
carry with pride.
Forever your child.
BARRISTER ALEXANDER AYUK ASHU Esq.
