When I met my husband, Charles Chikezie, forty-one (41) years ago, you were with him, and when we married, thirty-nine(39) years ago, you were his best man, and you fondly remained in our lives as Family. You saw me through my pregnancies and child births, and whenever my husband was stuck at work when you guys were in college and working as Security Guards, or when there was an emergency in the house, and my husband was unavailable for one reason or the other, you were always a phone call away. Family, in the 41 years I was privileged to know you, you remained the same person to me. Always smiling, always encouraging, always genuinely concerned, always non-judgmental, and always extending hugs. You did not only attend every family event that we had in our home, you deejayed all of them, and even after you retired as a Deejay, my sons, Nnamdi and Ikenna, were always assured that they could go and collect Uncle Jayce’s musical equipments for their shows. You took care of us and we took care of you, and your uniqueness in all of it was your genuineness and quietness in the midst of any storm, and your conscious effort to avoid “Wahala” as you would say.  

Family, when Charles told me you passed on, I wept until I was numb because I just saw you two days prior, and because we made an agreement that you would get out of the Hospital, come home so we can get back to the backyard Barbeques. We had places to go and people to see. “Family”, you left when I thought that you had weathered the storm and that the worst was behind us. I am, however, at peace because I had the opportunity to give you all your flowers while you were here. You were able to see them, smell them each time I visited you at the Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers on Sunday mornings. Whenever I entered your room, your smiles would light up the room, with your open arms as you tell me how you are being treated by the Nurses and the Doctors, and as you ask me “how’s Nnamdi and Ikenna”, and I would tell you to “listen and follow the Doctor’s and the Nurse’s orders” , and that “Nnamdi and Ikenna are fine.” I would also tell you that “everything has its purpose, and you agreed, but unfortunately, “God’s order” supersedes man’s order as we are reminded in Isaiah 55:8 that “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  

Family, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share a part of my life and my family with you for the past 41 years, and thank you for allowing me to play a part in your journey. You have gone home now, to be with the Lord. No more aches or pains and no more Doctors’ and Nurse’s orders. You are now in the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ, walking around Heaven, strolling along the rivers and valleys and receiving all that God promised you. We will miss you terribly, but the memories, laughter and the family times shared with you will forever be embedded in our hearts. So please, take your rest and receive your crown. Amen!

Greatly loved and missed,

Mrs. Barbara A. Chikezie (Family)