Sunday, 16 October 2011

For This Reason

I just have to celebrate the very first comment on After the RIP by a "fellow widow".
Below is the comment made by Kemi Oyelola after my last post, Take a Look at Me Now. Kemi is a beautiful young widow who lost her husband a little over two years ago. She wrote:

"I found this very inspiring to read. Thanks for sharing this Blog. It helps to know that there's someone who's gone through what I have gone through, the pain, the tears, the frustrations I have felt. That song still brought tears to my eyes, even after two years that my husband passed away.

I watch my kids growing up and wish that he could have been here with me to watch them develop and grow. I still say things like "Akin, just look at your daughter, see how tall she's grown. She's slowly developing into a pretty young woman" just as if he were sitting beside me.

I look at my son sometimes and I see his father's face. And I smile to myself as I remember him. My son still asks me when his dad will come back, why he had to go even though I have told him his dad will not be coming back. I ask for wisdom from God to be able to answer his many questions.

It really hasn't been easy at all but God has given me so much strength to go on. Sometimes I think I have overcome my sorrow but there are times it still comes back to me. I remember and tears just roll from my eyes. When will I finally overcome?

I console myself that God alone can comfort me and heal my wounds. It is well!!"
Kemi

I met Kemi shortly after her husband died, my dear friend Gina called me and asked that I speak with her, try to see her through the dark period. It was something I was willing to do as I believe I have a calling to comfort others in their affliction just as I have been comforted by God. When I met her she seemed so cool, calm and collected but I could see through the act off course, I have been in her shoes. 

I have never been able to reach the grieving side of Kemi, never. Whenever I ask her how she is holding up her answer is always fine, fine or I am OK. She was so excited to read my posts that she just had to comment and let out all she had been bottling up inside.

She has been in my prayers and I am so glad that she was finally able to let it all out via this Blog.
Kemi, I know you will read this; I bet you felt a bit better after you expressed your feelings. Your comment brought tears to my eyes because I know that by writing about your pain you are finally on your way to healing and receiving comfort from the great comforter.

I sincerely believe that it was for this reason that I was led to start this Blog. To help people like you and i realize that we are not alone and we do not have to go through this alone. Sharing your pain, struggles, frustrations, breakthroughs, joys and gains from the whole experience can really go a long away to help us heal. Healing the right way will also ensure that rather than allow this horrible experience at such a young age smudge our future, we emerge as better individuals who have overcome against all odds.

Psalm 68:6: He places the lonely in families;
Have a great week ahead.
Hugs

3 comments:

  1. Thanks so much, Kate! You have indeed been a blessing to me. Thanks for helping me open up to my feelings.

    I have always convinced myself that I am a strong woman who can handle anything that comes my way. That was of course, before my husband passed away. When this happened, i was broken. Broken in pieces! I was confused. I kept asking, how could this have happened to me? ME? I didn’t know how what to do, how to grieve. The first few weeks after my husband's passing, I felt like I was in a film, acting out a role. I couldn't sleep, could hardly eat.

    My kids watched me cry at his funeral. They couldn't understand what was happening. Even now, they still remind me about that fateful day .And this past few days, a lot of things have made me cry. Now my son looks at my face, studying my face. And when I ask him why he looks at me that way, he says that I ALWAYS look like I am crying. So now I smile so he sees this and he's happy .I have to smile so he doesn’t think his mum cries all the time, so he doesn't worry.

    My life since that fateful day has been full of ups and downs .A few months after he passed, I lost my job! Another heavy blow! I was so broken up that I thought I would just die! I felt like the devil was bent on destroying me! But no, God said NO! God was there for me; He calmed me down and showed me that HE (the husband of widows) was with me. He saw me through all the pains, the fears, the anxieties. He is indeed GOD!!Without Him, I would have been finished! I thank God for bringing me out of depression, for giving me parents I needed at this difficult time, friends who talked me out of depression! I remember my mum moved into the same room I slept in. Nights I couldn't sleep, she would stay up with me, talking with me, praying for me, counseling me, taking care of the kids when I couldn't. God bless you, mum!!

    And so I thank Kate. For helping me express myself, for bring it all out, instead of bottling it all in. God bless you!!As you are inspired to help US by sharing your experiences with us, I pray God blesses you and gives you the grace and ability to help others.

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  2. these is quite touching, cant belive that people you work with are going through all these. very strong and beutiful young and intellegent women you are. but as someone with full knowledge of the word, having cousel those with similar cases, i wish to let you know that you are not alone, for the lord is with you, he is the father of the fatherless, and husband of the widow, he is more than million husbands out there, you need not to worry, you are just custodians of those chidren, they are heritage of the lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. happy is the man who has his quiver full of them, you shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with your enemies in the gate. the lord will be with you and will console you. cheer up katty and kiki.

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  3. Kemi and Kate, be rest assured that you are in the hollow of God's hands and nothing, imean nothing can harm you and your children! Just bring your burdens and all your failures to God and watch Him take the lead!
    God id the husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless. I have walked the grief path before and i know its a very long and lonely road!God bless you both and all other widows!

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