Death is inevitable; the timing is what makes it different. Many lost their lives in the early stages of their journey in life, while others grew up to a certain mature age before leaving their loved ones. Sometimes, when this unexpected tragedy happens, it takes their loved ones a longer time to move on without the deceased, but the truth is, life must go on.
In response to today's Hivelearners prompt, I will be writing in loving memory of my aunt, whom we all call Big Mummy. She was my dad's older sister, the first child. We lost her to the cold hands of death seven years ago, and I can say the news of her death that year was the most shocking news I received that year because no one saw it coming.
She was a nurse, and I had the opportunity to spend time with her, as I always visit her during the holidays. When I was in primary school, I spent most of my holidays at her house because she was living closer to where I lived before she relocated with her husband to Kogi State due to work.
Things I learned from her
While she was living closer, I did follow her to her workplace; she happened to be the matron in the hospital where she worked. She did put me through lots of things concerning her profession, and this was where I picked up the interest to become a medical doctor. At that young age, I had learned some common drugs and how to administer them, and she always wanted me to visit her during holidays because I knew I would learn and also enjoy myself when it came to eating what I wanted and when I wanted it.
During her life, she did advise and teach me the basic things I needed to know as a girl, most of which built my confidence in who I am today. And one important thing I learned from her is to never look down on myself or utter the word, "I can't do it." She hated that word so much, and she taught me to believe in myself and believe I could do anything.
She shared her story of how she reached her peak singlehandedly and what made her who she was at that time, and that inspired me to believe that as a female child, I can be whoever I want to be; determination, focus, and discipline are all it takes.
When she relocated, I had no chance to visit her again, and we drifted apart. At that time, I didn't own a phone; I could only get through to her through my father's phone, and that seems impossible at times because my dad is not always home.
I never had the chance to visit her until I heard the news of her death a year after I graduated from secondary school. It was a Thursday evening when my dad returned home with a sad countenance, and he announced that Big Mummy had passed away due to an illness that was not disclosed to the family by her husband.
Later, we got to know that she had been sick for a while and that her husband didn't inform anyone about her illness until she was hospitalized and operated on. A few days after the operation, we lost her. It was a bad day for everyone because no one saw it coming. I could still hear her voices in my head, telling me to never settle for less.
I couldn't believe she was gone so soon, so I decided to continue my journey in the medical field, even though I am not a medical doctor. She was the best part of my life while I was growing up. Thanks for this prompt; I finally get the chance to appreciate her good deeds.
Thanks for your time, and your comments will be appreciated.