I was a teenager when Omy's husband Kelechi died 13 years ago. Omy's family and mine were very close growing up, and still are; we often refer to each other as "cousins". I remember hearing the sad news of Kelechi's passing and thinking to myself, "How terrible, may God comfort Omy and her girls." I even remember visiting Omy to extend our condolences.
Over the years, whenever I see Omy and her girls, it's all happiness and love...and chitchat. But you know, it took a little more growing up for me to fully comprehend what happened to Omy in 2004. Even now, despite the comprehension, I flinch when I think about how much her life must have changed in an instant....how that one day went from one with a smooth-sailing ship filled with dreams and plans, to a fleeting power boat.....It must have been an alarmingly painful experience for a "barely-married" 26 year-old mother of two.
Over the years, whenever I see Omy and her girls, it's all happiness and love...and chitchat. But you know, it took a little more growing up for me to fully comprehend what happened to Omy in 2004. Even now, despite the comprehension, I flinch when I think about how much her life must have changed in an instant....how that one day went from one with a smooth-sailing ship filled with dreams and plans, to a fleeting power boat.....It must have been an alarmingly painful experience for a "barely-married" 26 year-old mother of two.
God sure has a mysterious way of navigating our journeys and filling the gaps in our lives with His grace and purpose. He uses our pain to not only build solid foundations in our lives, but to serve as living testimony of His presence. A once sheltered 26 year old widow is now not just a successful mother of two beautiful young ladies, but a breathing inspiration. When I think of Omy now, I am amazed at the caliber of woman she is....and how she turned her horrific episode into a powerful inspirational journey.
I could tell you a lot more about Omy...but don't take my word for it. Here's Omy's dedication to Kelechi last week, on the 13th anniversary of his death.
"Exactly 13 years ago today my husband and the father of my two angels went to be with the Lord. Two people died on that day, Dr Kelechi Egesie Wokemba and the young carefree girl that used to be me. The 'strong' woman you know today was birthed that day. She was not given a choice or time to prepare. With just a moment's notice this role was foisted upon her. When the grieving father of your husband's staff who died in the same accident with him is sitting across from you asking what your plans are for his daughter's corpse and funeral, you have to grow up on the spot.
Up until that point, I had lived my life in the clouds. My biggest problem at that point was probably where to do my Masters degree and whether or not the children would come with me. But here I was, one month to my 27th birthday, suddenly solely responsible for two little humans and series of decisions on sensitive issues that continue to present themselves till date. I needed a plan. It took me all of 24 hours to come up with a strategy for this journey. My strategy had just two components: 1. Make Kelechi proud. 2. Don't let the devil take any glory in this. I think it has worked.
The first picture was taken at the funeral on the 31st of March 2004. The second was taken the next day or so. We had actually strolled out to his uncle's place. The third was taken 5 days after the funeral on the day we got back to Enugu from the village. Maybe it was the joy of the Lord or maybe I was just so happy to be back from the village but that smile you see in that picture was for real and to the glory of God, it has never really left. If you knew me back then, you would know that it can only be Lord's doing.
I am an ajebota. I am not being haughty or anything like that. I was 'jeborized' from my mother's womb. From my father's house to my husband's house it was smooth sailing. Nothing in my past prepared me for a life of stress. People who knew me before the incident had already concluded that they would probably be burying me in a short while because they didn't see how I would bear it or handle the pressures that come with the territory. But alas, here we are 13 years later.
You see, God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. He loves to take rejected stones and turn them into cornerstones. He doesn't like to be predictable and He does things in such a way that no matter how you analyze it, the glory comes back to him. That is what He did with me. His grace came upon me instantly and the person who was most surprised at the transformation was me.
If you're facing any difficult thing in your life today, look at me and find strength. You are strong, you just don't know it. No one thought I could do it. I doubted myself many times. Often I would look at my girls and feel sorry for them. I wondered whether I would be able to give them the kind of life and upbringing their dad and I had planned. The two year old in the picture is now the head girl of her school. Not too bad if i may say so myself, so take courage and take charge. If 'Omy daddy' could do it, so can you.
I remember Kelechi today with fondness. May his sweet soul continue to rest and may those of us left behind find grace to daily keep the flag flying."We often look for heroes in movies, books and celebrities. However, they don't live in fiction; they live amidst us. Omy, you beautiful in and out....an true epitome of virtue...a stellar woman of strength and perseverance. I am inspired by your grace even in the face of tragedy. Your beautiful girls are lucky to have you to call Mom. May God continue to smoothen your journey. May the meditations of your heart come alive in the quality of your life.
If my ship sails from sight, it doesn't mean my journey ends, it simply means the river bends. ~ Enoch PowellKeep on sailing, nwanne.
Stay Inspired......
NwaVic
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