To everything there is a season, a time for every
matter under heaven; a time to be born,
and a time to die; a time to plant,
and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
-Ecclesiastes
On this day, 33 years ago, a child was born by Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson. And that child was named Moses Oruaze Dickson; yes that is me.
My mum and I had agreed that we will do a classic photo shoot session and she will tell me many more things when I return after my exams for my second and third masters in the United Kingdom. As usual, she prayed for me even in her tired condition. In excitement, I had bought a special camera to preserve the memories which I would use for my birthday article and also got all her favorite African delicacies. But on this day, as I mark my birthdate, I do so with a heavy heart, as I am left to do a eulogy rather than being in her ever-loving presence. Nonetheless, I am in full appreciation of the beautiful gift of a mother, from whom I learned many of my life’s virtues.
My dad passed since 2011 and looking back in time in grief, I cannot help but appreciate the individual uniqueness of my parents and how they lived together all through their years.
My father was of very tough and strict values: a very good thing. Very understanding too but one has to pierce his toughness to get to the understanding side of him. A lot of people who are unable to pierce his toughness run away oblivious that within that toughness is was a man of high ethical standards and a large heart full of honesty, humanity, and wisdom. He was a man of principles and cared more about the posterity and the world than himself. As a child, I would wonder how come today he would be disagreeing with someone on an issue only to support that same person on another issue.
For my dad, if a line has to be straight, it’s got to be straight !. In contrast, my mum would understand that sometimes a line can bend to accommodate people and their circumstances and it doesn’t really matter if it bends. my mum was soft and tender from day one.
My mother, Goldcoast, was a kind and generous person who passed away sooner than I hoped for. I don’t believe I will be writing about my mum in past tenses, but like the bible quote above, there is time for everything.
She was a strong person and this strength shone through during her long fight with cancer. Even though she was in tremendous pain she always remained strong and never wanted attention focused on her disease. She will always remind me to check through my to-do-list to ensure I was following up everything. She wanted everyone to continue with their lives and was more concerned with how we were doing and if we were happy.
Determined to make sure her children all grow up to be successful in life, she enveloped her family with love and worked hard to ensure that every child of hers went to school with their peers.
In those days, daily, she borrowed the creeks and forests of Toru Orua, to ensure that her family had the best life she could offer.
I can say I could never have learned enough from my mother but I can reluctantly agree that I learned a lot from my mother. She taught me to have an early sense of responsibility which was further enhanced by my older brother when he took me at age 9. She taught us all the very foundations of love; compassion, care, tenderness and a clear understanding of how our actions affect others. I learned how important family is and enjoyed spending time with my parents and relatives. I learned how important a strong work ethic is and how remaining positive can help us get through life’s biggest challenges. But above all, I learned to fear God and always say no when no is the right answer.
I love you so much and wish that we had more time together even on this day marking 33 years you brought me into this world. Today with both you and dad gone, I wonder how to accept this reality. I will cherish all of the great memories we had and will carry your values with me. You will be missed by all and your memory will live in us all forever.
You remain my MUM24/7.
~MOD
#EulogyPart1
