UJUNWA GOOD NIGHT
It all started at the late hours of Thursday when you texted me “Nwannem please am on my
way to the hospital, please your prayer is very important”. My reply for your request was
“OK noted. The Lord is your strength and will grant you safe delivery, Amen”.
After Mass on Friday morning, on entering my room around 8.00am, your husband’s phone
call was coming in and I picked the call full of expectations, but distressing news that you
delivered and that the child died. I caught in immediately consoling him that the one that
would stay would come, but he said that is not the issue Father, “MY WIFE IS BLEEDING”
and the phone went off. I called back immediately asking him to give his wife the phone, but
all I could hear was my sister calling me “Father Father” in a deep groaning voice. I told her
to hold on that I am on my way to Awka now, for I knew there was trouble. On my way
another call came in “FATHER, MY WIFE IS DEAD”. I ignored the message, but on
getting to Awka low and behold it was true. Then I realised the loss of a precious treasure in
my life, my second mother, and I would never again hear her call me “NWANNEMOO”.
Ujunwa, why couldn’t you hold on for me to at least say sorry to you. I have known you for
quite a long time now for having strong will, but the cold hands of death snatched you way
from us. You left this world quietly and un-noticed, but your departure left us with so many
questions for God like the psalmist “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning
oppressed by the foe? With cries that pierce me to the heart, my enemies revile me, saying to
me all the day long: Where is your God?” I was also strengthened by the same psalmist who
asked me “Why are you cast down my soul, why groan within me? Hope in God; I will praise
him still, my saviour and my God. Uju, I am convinced that your death would end in praise to
the greater glory of God for the happy repose of your soul and for the good of all you left
behind to mourn you.
The resurrection of the dead which you believed when you were alive and again, honest,
generous, humble and transparent Christian life you lived which so many people testified to,
was the source of our consolation. Now with St. Paul you can confidently say, “I have fought
a good fight to the end, I have run the race to the finish; I have kept the faith; all there is to
come for me now is the crown of uprightness which the Lord the upright judge will give me
on that day… .” 2 Tim 4: 7-8.
Good night Ujunwa! Laru na udo Nwanne Fada! Till we meet to part no more.
NWANNE GI NWAOKE
AMULUCHE SIMEON CHUKWUMA (Rev. Fr.)