Meandering through the odds, you achieved more in life than your circumstances would have predicted. That’s genius. That’s Grace. That’s Blessing.
Growing up, watching you do things, I understood early on that there’s a whole wide wonderful world spinning around and about; that we stand to lose if we do not venture out into it, and with purpose make something creatively good, for ourselves and for others.
I remember, during my younger years, being proud and feeling proud about my Dad. You inspired me.
Then the difficult years came: God took mommy…. I know you grieved about things you couldn’t tell your children. I prayed for you, for us. God knows how many times. I spoke out to protect you, to protect us. Meanwhile, God all along had his way with the situation – that I know for certain.
At long last, you became a friend of God again. I counted that as a great blessing – one great aspiration of mine fulfilled with the agency of Ma Christy in Buea and Rev Fr Chrisanttus, my friend. For this great grace I will remain eternally grateful to God. Even more, you received sacraments of the church from my hand. Extravagant grace.
There are graceful conversations we’ve had in which I learnt a little more about you, about your journey through life. I cherish them dearly.
There are many other things I wanted us to talk about. That’s what I miss the most about your departure from this world, because I know you came a long way.
During your final weeks, I prayed through the pain to God for you, reminiscing many things unsaid …
December 21st was supposed to be a fresh start for you, for us. That was my vision. That’s how I saw it. But my ‘fresh start’ turned out to be the ‘start of Eternity’ in God’s own grand scheme of things. Indeed, we plan things but God decides differently. We can make our own decisions but God’s Will prevails in the end.
You have responded with one final “yes” to the call of God, a “yes” so final that human frailty and infirmity can never reverse it.
I accept God’s arrangement of things. You’re safe with God. That’s all that matters to me now.
Take your place with mommy singing forever with the angels of the Goodness of God, of his Son our Lord Jesus, and of his great Mercy. Cheer us on and intercede for us. Do not let us stumble. Guide our steps.
It’s Never Goodbye.
Rev. Fr. Thierry Ndime