This morning as I dressed up and prepared to leave home for Mrs. Dennis' funeral service, our almost-7 year old daughter said... "but you went for a funeral just two weeks ago..." I smiled, remembering that I said similar things to my parents as a little girl. At the time, I thought they attended too many funerals (perhaps not many... but of course, every little child would rather have their mum home than out) .... A friend of mine recently said, 'home is always warmer when mum is in it.' :)
My Mama would often say "esh3) m) n)" (literally meaning 'everyone gets their turn' in Ga), and go on to explain that there are funerals one can hardly skip because of the relationship one had with the deceased person, or has with the grieving family. In line with this, today I attended Aunty Julie's funeral - even with Covid-19 protocols being observed and in this season of social distancing... because she has been very good to me. :)
I spent many hours in her home in my growing up years, mainly because her daughters - Kuntua and Titi- were and still are my friends. We were neighbours on the 10th Close of the South Odorkor Estates and Mrs. Dennis fellowshipped with my Mama at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Dansoman. I was a member of her household. :) I was the last baby / pension baby in my home and my siblings were all older... So I wanted to be around 'playmates' who became sisters as we grew up. Mrs. Dennis took me as one of her daughters and I smiled and shed tears during today's funeral service because I have been a witness to many of the virtues and testimonies written about her.
She loved family. As a little girl, she didn't mind whenever I joined her on her rounds to visit her family, once the necessary permissions had been sought from my parents. That was kind. :) I remember frequent visits to her Paa Martinson of blessed memory at Kaneshie and a visit or 2 to McCarthy Hill to visit her sister's family. I vividly remember the day Paa Martinson died because it was my birthday, and was surprised to know today that it's been 20 years already! How time flies! And so teach us to number our days, Lord, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom, and make every second count.
Today, having read about the demands of her work at the time, I have come to appreciate her intentionality in doing the things she did; like her visits to family, and taking time to make sure there was always something nutritious to eat in her home. She cooked lovely meals and I remember telling my big sister about her yummy stews, which her grandchildren have testified about in their tribute. She took a special interest in me especially because of my name, Juliet, and would always ask my Mama whenever they met, 'te nbi l3 y)) t3n? (i.e.' how's my daughter' in Ga)
Lately, I have come to appreciate one of the things my father used to say when I was a little girl - he said it in Ewe but I later found out that it is in the Bible: "It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die." - Ecclesiates 7:2, CEV
Even though she is no longer physically with us, we can keep her memory forever and live out the virtues we cherish in her life. I'll mention just two....
1. Love God, love people. I've always remembered her birthday, June 22nd, and would often send a message to Titi or Kuntua to wish her a happy birthday on my behalf. This is because she believed in creating memories - birthdays were always marked and not left to slip by. I remember joining Titi to cut her birthday cake at the Children's Service of the Trinity Presbyterian Church one time when her birthday (November 5th) fell on a Sunday.
2. Do your best for your family, especially your children. One of her colleagues wrote that she learnt from Mrs. Dennis the importance of taking good care of children. I like the fact that she "sometimes had to come to work with her children especially her little daughters who were always in tow during vacations." That's a great note to keep in this era where most career-women say children are a hindrance to their 'corporate' work and need to be 'hidden' at all times. Aunty Julie knew way back, what many of us are now getting to discover, that a mother works best and most effectively when she knows her children are safe and sound. Though a 'big woman' in her roles at work, she didn't lose sight of her priorities. :) I remember one day during school vacation when she took Kuntua, Titi and I to the Accra Central Library to read some books- she dropped us off with some packed snacks, left for her office to work, and then came back for us in the afternoon. That was cool. :).. That was being intentional about how children spent their time :)
Mrs. Dennis, there's a lot I have learnt from your life that have been, and will continue to be a great blessing to me. I thank God for you and all you embodied - silent strength, grace, beauty, hardwork, etc. One day, I pray that a child of a friend, or a nephew or niece of mine would say I influenced his/her life as positively as you have influenced mine. :) May the Lord, Whom you loved and served, continue to preserve, strengthen and bless the family and friends you have left here on earth. Fare thee well Aunty Julie... Till we meet again. Thank you for opening your home to me and for making me a part of your family. Thank you very much for everything. In the words of a hymn...
Praise we the wise and brave and strong,
Who graced their generation...
Praise we the peaceful (wo)men of skill
Who builded homes of beauty,
And praise the Lord who now as then
Reveals in man His glory.
Love,
Mawunyo.
Ps. You can read more about Aunty Julie here:
https://memorials.onelocation.net/biography/mrs-juliana-kwakyewaa-dennis/
Thank you to the family for putting this together. Really lovely. Aunty Julie... Forever in our hearts.
