Fadiora Esther Modupeola

Tribute to Esther Modupeola Fadiora July 19, 2020 How do I begin to write about my mother, Esther Modupeola? Knowing that one A4 page could never be enough to write about her. I am not one given to empty praises and eulogies, even for the dead. So, this is one extremely short true-life recounting of a great life. I imagined her passing would be much easier for me than it has turned out to be. Even though as the Scripture enjoins, we do not sorrow as others who have no hope, and "the memory of the just is blessed", yet hearing and reading tributes and comments from so many people who had contact with her, has left me teary-eyed quite a few times. Seeing how she was a mother to many out there, majority of whom I never knew nor met in her lifetime, but for whom she was a much a mother and confidant as any biological mother could be. I feel she was a mother to many, and we her biological children, were only her principal caregivers. She had no enemy or anyone she wrote off in this world. Her home, kitchen and heart were open to everyone. Growing up, having people flock to our house, especially on Sundays was the order of the day, and though she wasn't rich by the world's standards, she had something for everyone to eat. She never hesitated to jump into the kitchen to make an extra meal for one extra unexpected visitor. Her devotion to her family was simply legendary. I remember well that she would rather be in tatters, as long as her children could appear presentable in public. She always had our backs and would happily work double and triple hours to ensure we got the basics of life. She was a rare combination of firmness and affection, discipline and kindness. She would not let even the smallest act of indiscipline in her children get by, yet her rebuke would be gentle enough to drive the point home, without leaving you with any emotional scars. As a primary school teacher, she touched many more lives than we could ever know. Her passion and interest in her students were truly remarkable. In addition to her distinguished career as a passionate teacher, she was an entrepreneur per excellence, long before the term became a buzz word. And she qualified as an international entrepreneur, owing to her reach beyond Nigeria. I vividly remember accompanying her on trips to Balogun and Mandilas markets in Lagos decades ago, to procure items either for her business, or for home use. People sometimes tell us we took good care of our mother. But did we? How do you requite such love, such passion, such palpable self-sacrifice, such devotion, as she gave to us, her children? We wish we had the privilege to do more. Maybe that would have amounted to giving back just a little in return. While I don't subscribe that much to the popular "best mother in the world" catch-phrase, my mother was truly a rare gem. If I may paraphrase the words of Solomon in Proverbs 31:29 ("Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all"), I would say "there are many great mothers in the world out there, but Esther Modupeola Fadiora really and truly stood out among the outstanding" We are truly lucky to have been raised by such an amazing personality. Thank you, Lord, for lending her to us for 75 amazing years. We wished for more years, but thank you Lord for a great time together. Sleep on, beloved, and take thine deserved rest. You lived for the Lord Jesus, before Whom you have now laid your unassuming sword, in exchange for a Crown of Life, that only the redeemed and regenerated by grace can receive. We look forward to the bright resurrection morn, when we shall be reunited in ultimate triumph. "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Cor 15:55, 57). - Sam Oye Fadiora (son)