Comfort Eneke Ashu a.k.a MADAM

 Hi Mama,
I keep having the feeling  you have travelled, but I know that as a child of God and writer you live forever because of your ideas.  Ideas are more powerful than death, and it is impossible to kill an idea. I know you are watching......." for a man cannot move away from his shadow.".
I write in tears and difficulty, struggling to share my memories of you. We can`t say all mama, and I know you are by my side saying "Tabi rem!! Meh whok !!, Meh chi Maye..eeh !!!
First of all, thank you for the last instructions you gave and the las words of wisdom you shared while in hospital. Forgive me Mama. I thought you were behaving like Big mamy (Ma-Helen) who has given us her last words of wisdom on several occasions, but is still kicking strong.
Mama !! I can recall the (C) Crayfish, (E) Eru, (A) Anointed Water and (L P) Liquid Pepper, the last items you bought and parcelled for me to take along for my journey. With these items in mind mama, what came to my mind is....C.E.A. LIVES IN PARADISE. Mama like OLIVER Twist  we now want more, let your spirit continue to Comfort us.
Mama !! I can recall the ink in your blood and the principles of discipline and hard work you laid for us your children. Mama,.. as a young child in Bilingual Grammer school molyko, I still remember going out for football and returning home late. I was afraid of the paracetamol and the NIva.....queens....but it took care of the  fever and reduced the pain. I can still recall what you said." Tabi !! Pai Ekati !! Pai EKati !!.....THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD". This principle has been in my body and soul through out my life.
Mama !! You are very special and unique in the way you blend your qualities and character as a Mother,Sister, Aunty, Grand Mother, Wife,  Writer, Teacher,School Mummy, Neighbour, Friend,and  Woman  eh !! eh!!. Forgive me for not understanding the conflict of Identities for it takes the Grace of God to get into those shoes.
Mama !! You are a Femme en Guerre for the family. When things are NO LONGER AT EASE, you come AS A (WO)MAN OF THE PEOPLE with THE ARROW OF GOD so that THINGS SHOULD NOT FALL APART.
Mama, you use to say "Life has no duplicate" and Big Mamy will say "No bi lie, but na true".
Thank you mama for the good and difficult times !!
Thank you mama for being a great mother !!.
Thank you mama for leading us to christ !!
Thank you mama for your prayers !!
Rest in Peace Mama with God.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Your Son,
TABI.

From	Comfort Ashu (e_ashu_c@yahoo.co.uk)
Sent:	Wed 3/12/08 6:30 AM
To:	ashumprincess@hotmail.com

From:	switch@trueswitch.com on behalf of Comfort Ashu (e_ashu_c@yahoo.co.uk)
Sent:	Sat 5/03/08 1:17 AM
To:	Joyce Ashuntantang (jabunaw@hotmail.com)

Thank you for the link. Of course, I remember this fine lady as a colleague of my mother's way back then.  She is one of those who stuck in there and created the future by investing all her life in the education of young. For the past couple of weeks, I have been avoiding looking at death announcements, because I have been getting too many lately, but I took heart today and looked. I am sure if I went to Buea now I would know no one. When I looked through the pictures, it occurred to me how long I have known her, and how all of that time she has been doing the same thing and doing it better every time.

We cannot do anything about death. It will surely visit all of us, usually not at a time of our choosing but we can live a meaningful life in the time we have. Mrs Ashu lived a very meaningful life. We thank her for that and I wish strength and comfort to her loved ones.

 

Emil I Mondoa

Oh Mrs Ashu.  I remember her as a tough but very duty conscious and dedicated faculty officer and English 101/102 teacher. May she rest in the Lord.