The bible says in Romans 12:14: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.


I’m mourning right now. I lost my grandmother. My lovely grandmother. A woman who was always smiley. My easy going., sweet,  happy grandma. My grandmother who took many people’s children in as her own. My grandmother who was an empath. She felt people’s pain and wanted to help wherever she could. My grandmother who gave and supported people where she could. My grandmother who simply loved us all. Unreservedly. My grandmother who has gone to be with the Lord.


I’m happy she is in a better place. No more pain. No more suffering. No more missing her mate. No more hospitals. No more stress. Just peace, peace for her.


For those of us left behind, many beautiful memories and a hole in our hearts. The tears will threaten, let them come. The pain will be immense feel it and let it pass. Eventually, we will feel it and come through on the other side. 


One day. One day, by God’s grace, in the land where there is no more suffering. One day, we will meet again in a land where there is no more pain. 


Grief is as hard as it is painful. But it lets us know this person means a lot to us. It lets us know that they made an impact on us. It lets us know that someone is missing from us. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to weep. It’s okay to wail in anguish. It’s okay to do none of those things and just be quiet and contemplate. It’s okay to be busy for a while to give your heart enough time and a buffer to determine to deal with the grief.


The sun will shine again. Life will go on. We will miss our loved one. But we hold on to hope that one day, by God’s grace we will meet again in that heavenly place.


Death comes as a reminder that for us all, our time on this earth is finite. We are all sojourners, travellers on this earth. No one can live forever. I admonish you to seize the day. Make a positive impact on those around you, strangers, friends and family. Turn enemies into friends.


I’ll leave you with this quote from the book of James 4:13-17:


Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.


The message here is: Do what is good, love fully, don’t wait until tomorrow to show your appreciation. No one knows what the future holds. Make the most of your time on earth. Like my grandma, bring joy to the people around you.


Grandma Felicia Adeniyi, née Makindipe, we love you, we miss you and the memory of your smile forever brightens our hearts. One day, by God’s grace, we will rejoice together when we meet again.


Love,


Oreoluwakitan Apampa
Your beloved granddaughter