Here I Am

11:38 pm 29th January Testimony - Mum calls to tell me that she is now a registered solicitor in the UK. 

I’m so happy for her. Mum has been on my heart quite heavily this year. I’ve been so worried and concerned about her but I handed it to God and have been praying for her everyday. 

This is a gift from God. This is answered prayer. Thank You God.

So my mum decided to clear out her wardrobe. So far we have counted over 50 bags and purses. Over 30 heels….

My dad is just looking on like: 

Mum says “a woman can never have too many shoes”

She wants to give a lot of it to charity. Naaaaa mum, I’m selling these on ebay. Gotta make some DOLLAR! 

As per usual i got into an argument with mother dearest and on this occasion the topic was the white man’s evils. 

My line of argument was centred on the fact that what we call Britain would not be Britain without Africans yet we get no recognition for it. And despite the face of innocence that the UK likes to have, it still participates in some murky evil enterprises - “…look how BP is destroying Nigeria, look at how they (Shell) infiltrate governments and establish puppets, they are holding back Africa…even look at how the Congo is today, still been ravaged by the effects of the Belgians…”

To which my mum responded “Did the white man stop our trees from growing? Did he stop the oils flowing? Did he stop the rain? Did he stop the harvests? The white man has simply utilised what we were too ignorant to use and what are we doing today? what are we doing for ourselves? …”

My mum’s perception of England before we came here was that - every black teenager got stabbed to death. I suppose her fears were a little bit justified considering the spate of knife attacks in london at that time.

We moved to one of the safest areas in England and she still believed this.

One time, I went to play rugby for the school and I forgot to tell her. At the end of the games, my teacher came up to me and was like… “your mum has been trying to get a hold of you, i think you should ring her”

You know how many missed calls I got - 27. 27 missed calls in less than 90 minutes. It was still daylight! It was summer, and the sun was still out. 

I got home and found a family friend in the kitchen, my sister told me he had been driving all over town looking for me and she had just rang the police! And I burst out laughing, then quickly stifled it when I saw tears in my mum’s eyes. She was sitting down and just glared at me. Then wouldn’t talk to me the entire day.

It makes me LOL now as much as it made me then. 

I have a mother who cares (too much) Thank God for mother though. 

some Yoruba girl was introducing herself to my mum and she didn’t pronounce her name correctly

you know what my mum said - 

“You have completely missed the blessing on your life, it is Temitope, AH AH” 

to the girls face you know.

She doesn’t even know the girl. SMH. Too much! 

My mum

As I grow older, my love for my mum grows deeper. I cringe at some of the things I’ve said to her in the past and I pray God forgives me for the stress I’ve put her through. 

She hasn’t had a job in a long time even though she is highly qualified. Due to some immigration issues, she has had to go through lots of random tests and jump through hoops. Being a lawyer who has had high profile jobs back in Nigeria and worked since she came out of university, it is taking a toll on her. She works for the Church, but it doesn’t take up enough of her time. 

I just rang her and she said she’s out taking a stroll because she doesn’t want to get depressed doing nothing. 

You don’t understand how close to tears I am thinking about her. I want her to be unquestionably happy. 

I am going to pray. 

By prayer you revolt against the tyranny of hell. Have confidence that God is always looking after you. That is the beauty of the story of Samson.

^{Eph 6v 2-3} Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother - this is the first commandment with a promise that all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.

I remember learning this in Sunday school. And as I grow older I cringe and slap myself when I think of my selfish behaviour towards my parents, especially my mum. My mum tolerated some stupidity from me! I remember when we were strolling past some shops and the new timberlands were staring at me and I was asking for it, as if the £120 “grew on trees”.

Or like the time when my mum bought me a very expensive leather jacket but I didn’t like it because everyone else was wearing something different 3 years later I found  it at the bottom of my drawer and I’m still wearing it now, it has proved to be the most sturdy jacket I have. 

As I grow older I realise how privileged I am to have grown up with such love. True LOVE. You know that assurance that your mother and your father LOVE you - it cannot be bought. I also understand why it is hard for some not to believe in the love of God when their earthly parents did/ do not love them. 

I thank God for my parents. It was their 20th year anniversary this month and I sent them a bunch of orchids and chocolates. When I receive my first salary I intend to give them half. They deserve everything I make and anything I’ll ever make. 

To be such a recipient of LOVE is amazing and I want to honour them everyday of my life. 

*Getting Emotional* 

I asked my mum “what is your opinion on feminism?” She said -

“He made them male and female and called them Adam. I believe what the World needs is justice and fairness. Simple.”

My mum is a lawyer, a pastor and she’s black. What do you girls (and guys) think?