Ruqayya Shehu: A mother like no other

Two years down the lane, her memory remained fresh in my mind; in fact, not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. She cared for us and lived up to her billings since the demise of our father on August 18, 2003. One may be tempted to ask what it will be like if she was still here. Probably, life would have been different considering her immense care for her children and relations.
For me, this is one burden I have to live with for the rest of my life because apart from being her first son, I was also her closest child among her seven children. Right from childhood up to that fateful day when she left this world, she considered me as her confident and adviser on so many things even when our father was alive.  She was always there when I needed someone to talk to, she gave me confidence. Ummah never hid her love and care for me, my wife and my children.
Prior to that fateful Sunday, I had on Friday, December 16 travelled to Bauchi from Abuja together with my wife and children to see her as part of the routine monthly visits. We had a meeting inside her grandmother’s room at the ancestral home of Gidan Bare Bari along Ran Road in Bauchi. Though the meeting was brief, it was instructive.  Within about 30 minutes, we discussed a number of family issues that would have taken more hours to discuss. But unknown to me, it was to be my last encounter with my beloved mother on earth. And to make matters awkward, I didn’t notice any sign of illness or any expression to portray any sign of trouble lurking around throughout our discussion.
I then left Bauchi that very day and made a stopover in Jos before returning to Abuja en route Calabar for a workshop. I arrived in Calabar Sunday evening and checked into my hotel to retire for the day. My hope for having a deep sleep ahead of the workshop billed for Monday was cut short at about 12 midnight when my phone rang. I was at a point reluctant to pick the call because I was tired but something pushed me to answer the call only to be told of my mother’s death by my uncle, Wakilin Zanan Bauchi, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim.
At first, I didn’t believe him, so I decided to call her phone only for another relative to confirm the sad news. I felt like collapsing but as a Muslim, I submitted everything to Allah.
The caring and loving nature of Ummah made her popular in the family. She was one of the most respected persons in the family, highly revered by the extended family house of Gidan Bare Bari as well as our paternal family relations in Bauchi and Jos.
The large turnout at her funeral prayer (janazah) was also a testimony to her virtues. The mammoth crowd that witnessed and escorted her remains to her grave at the old cemetery in Bauchi was a proof to all that Ummah Masu lived a life worthy of emulation. It was indeed a sad one but as a Muslim, I believe in Allah’s decree and I find solace in the fact that she lived well.
I could keep writing how much she means to me but words wouldn’t be enough to describe how much she is valued in my life or how much I’m hurt by her lost. Someday, I want to be just like her when I grow older and be remembered like she is when I die. Indeed, my memorable moments with her would never wane with the passage of time.
Ummah lived and died for her children and her children proudly remember her as a sweet mother every child will be proud to have.
I once again pray to Almighty Allah (SWT) to forgive Ummah and reward her good deeds with Jannatul Firdaus. Ummah, Allah yagafarta miki, sai munzo.
Shehu wrote from Bauchi State Office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).