Condolences & Tribute
Condolences
I don’t know where to begin. The few years I spent with you are hard to capture; it was almost like we had our own secret place, divinely crafted by God, and all but impenetrable to all but God himself. Someone used to mockingly say, “You two live like you live in your own world”, but we would laugh, because no greater truth could have been said! We lived in our own evergreen garden, intensely focused on each other, and the Lord who had brought us together and intuitively let us know that our surest path to heaven lay in serving and loving each other as much as He served and loved us–nothing else mattered; no loss, no gain, no goal, no philosophy would be exalted over this vision. No sacrifice was too great to make. And just like that, life with you became heaven on earth! And then Mr. Gabriel joined our little garden with his eyes and a gap-tooth as wide as yours, and I knew I would never experience fulfilment and joy beyond what I felt being your husband and a father. I would often tell you this out of the blue, and remember finding you several times in quiet tears in prayer, thanking God because you felt the same way. As Catholics, we pray for a good death. Thank you for showing me what a good death looks like–that was one of your final gifts to me. I wish I could tell the whole story, but not yet! There are still some things for me to ponder over and meditate on in the secret of my heart, which remains your home. Because, just as the Garden of Eden endures, all but impenetrable to all but the One who created it, so too does our little evergreen garden endure…all but impenetrable to all but the One who created it. Samuel Anoke Ebanja Your “Lovey” Husband
Alas, good things never last. Maybe there’s just so much joy a man is allowed to feel in this broken world we have been exiled to. Maybe it is the inevitable fate of gardens to be invaded by unwanted elements seeking to kill, steal, and destroy. Who knows? Thank God for Jesus, who offers us a sure hope of a better deal in the next life. This supernatural hope that Christ offers was your buckler and shield; it was your paintbrush with which you were determined to paint your masterpiece of faith in God and His promises to His children. And like a good father, God never left you alone. He made sure you stayed fed with the Eucharist consistently and would bring helpers your way whenever you grew weary. Strangers became more bonded to you than family, and close friends hung closer than siblings. By His grace, you were able to die with a smile, consoling me as you eagerly transitioned to the other side to meet your one true Lover. And why wouldn’t you be eager, roughly an hour before you passed away, I rushed to your side anxiously asking why your eyes had bulged to twice their size for a few seconds, and you told me you had seen Jesus…and that He is BEAUTIFUL!
My friend, sister, gist partner, my only daughter the sweet moments in myrtle Beach in south Carolina, in Abidjan Ivory coast we slept on the same bed gisted and laughed. Forever I will and I'm truly missing you. HER LAST WORDS Hedrine told me she is watching us organizing her funeral. That she has offered her life as an offering for family unity not only her family but for all families. She asked forgiveness from all who hurt and offended her and she also forgave all whom she offended. INDEED ITS A TRAGEDY TO BURY MY DAUGHTER INSTEAD OF THE REVERSE. LOVE YOU MOTHER IM MISSING YOU SO MUCH. REST MOTHER YOU FOUGHT SO HARD TO HEAL AND LIVE ALL THE DAYS IN BAYLOR SCOTT HOSPITAL, MEDICAL CITY AND PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL ALLEN AND ON THE 11TH SEPTEMBER YOU TOLD ME MUMISCO IM TIRED. THE PAIN IS TOO DEEP ONLY GOD CAN SOOTHE. MOTHER REST. LOVE YOU!!! JUSTICE FELICIA MPAKO NCHINDA ( AKA MUMMISCO)
My dear and beautiful daughter whom my Father (Baba God) gave me. I have looked and listened to hear that it is a joke. To no avail. Ma Princess, as I fondly call you. Of course, you are a princess by marriage. I will miss your kindness and your respectful way of talking to me. Who is going to show me love like you do? Who? Sweetheart who? Genuine love, not any fake kind of love, because we go way back to your infancy. Your son, Master Elonge Jr is your gift to me. Ma oo I will do all to take good care of him. You don't be worried about him. He is my little husband. Ma, where have you left your guy, boy, Man Pa Anoke? How is he going to cope without you? I want to thank God as you yourself confessed that "Mummy, thank you for bringing my husband up in the way he does things. How we enjoy each other". It was my secret prayer that your marriage will surpass my marriage length of 35years. I was hoping yours would be 60 years and counting. But God had other plans for us. Ma, I will miss you greatly. I will miss you, my daughter. REST WELL MA PRINCESS Mummy Barr. Mayor Balike Esuka Ebanja Victorine ( Iya Wa-tika Nganga)
A tribute to my namesake You ought to be the one writing this, and not me. I have to write it because God has said "yes" and no one can say "No" Remember what I told you the first day I met you during your traditional marriage ceremony? I said I was very happy that another "Senge" has come into the family who will carry on in my shoes when I'm no longer there. You failed to keep your promise because on that day you said, " Yes, Grandma, I will." I really do not blame you. The pains were too much I will always remember your compassion towards me. Every so often, I received a text from you " Grandma, we sent you a little something for the weekend" " Grandma use this small money for your drugs' grandma, this is small something, not much for Christmas" etc Weeeey, you were so so caring. You had a compassionate heart, you showed me love. God was taking note of your deeds and I know He will reward you accordingly Little Elonge will be well cared for, I wish you saw how he was caressing you " mummy is sleeping" but you were already a corpse! So much love from a two year old! Oh oh Sleep on my dear granddaughter in-law of four(4) years, you were supposed to be still on your honeymoon, but helas! Illness /death denied you this. Your kindness towards me is embedded in my mind, I will forever remember you Adieu till we meet again to part no more Grandma Senge Epie ( In Kumba Cameroon)
TRIBUTE TO MY GODDAUGHTER Hedrine, I received your call a few days before your traditional marriage, asking me to come and assist you in putting on your "Kente" for your traditional evening. Happy I did! Looking at your funeral program gives me nostalgic feelings about that night. Hedrine, how can I forget you! My beautiful, intelligent, God fearing, Goddaughter - why now? You left too soon! - Why after 32 years on earth? You left too soon! - Why just 5 years in marriage? You left too soon. - Why did you exit before Gabriel's 2nd birthday? You left too soon! - Why journey to the unknown before your parents? You left too soon! - Why have you exited before ripe old age? You left too soon! - Why have you left Anoke on the stage? You left too soon! - Why have you succumbed after battling so hard? You left too soon! You became a Christian when I held you in my arms in front of the Rev. Pastor in Mutengene Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, 3 months after your birth, for your baptism. Hedrine, you may be gone from my site, but memories of you will remain evergreen in my heart. One thing is sure: you have won the victory over death, and you are now at peace in the presence of the Lord. Adieu, Hedrine. Mrs Dede Agbor Godmother