I never dreamt this today that I will be writing this
To a sister so loving and so caring.
You were always there to lend a listening ear,
and have always shown how much you care,
From your life I have learnt to be a better me,
So loving and kind hearted that’s how you will always be.
Your love and respect for God is great and worthy of emulation.
Your love to give to mankind is one of a kind.
Your love and respect for Culture and Tradition cannot be surpassed.
You valued life, you valued human beings and all that you come in contact with.
That’s how your God created you. You are so unique and lovely.
I wish I could see your face. To hear your laughter would mean so much.
How often it happens in my dreams,
and each time I awake, how I wish it were real.
Even now as I think of you,
it breaks my heart how I am missing you.
I cannot forget those long telephone calls we had.
You always ended the calls with ‘Love You’.
It is in the silent moments that my heart feels the most pain;
Your voice is still ringing in my ears,
Memories of you, my dear sister, are all that remain.
With no final words of farewell,
You have left my life.
Silent tears asking myself why, your sudden passing,
I still cannot understand it.
I wish you were still here with me to fulfil together all those plans you had after your retirement.
But what can I do, my dear sister? It is all God’s plan.
Sometimes I get so sad when I am missing you,
How my heart aches no one will ever know,
To lose a loved one so true and kind,
I am so glad of the time I had the opportunity to spend with you.
I am so glad you spent those months in the UK with my family and me.
I am so glad you spent that long week with my wife and me two Decembers ago in Owo.
Little did I know that you are preparing me well in advance for your long absence.
Your death is heart-wrenching
but we find solace in the fact that you have gone to rest, and that you left giant footprints in the sands of time.
I pray that someday we will meet again,
Where the pastures are green,
and there will be no pain,
No sorrow of heart.
Only joy and laughter.
What a day that would be to see you again my dear sister.
Rest in perfect peace.
To my sister Rachel Bolaji, you are gone but not forgotten.
Love from my wife and the children, we all miss you.
Love you always.
High Chief Wande Sule
The Ogwasemoyen of Owo Kingdom.