Hi Pauline, the past few days, new meanings of what life is has dawned on me with the demise of Mina.
No matter who you are, when death hits, life goes on.
I went grocery shopping the same day and I still slept and thought of plans for the next day.
Life is meaningful yet meaningless, nothing is worth holding on to.
What is priceless to you is of no value and thus meaningless to another.
In life, we put too much into what we have and things we don't have. When we go, no matter who we are we take not one item, not even our body so to those keeping up with the botox and the likes, enjoy because when the end reaches out, even that turns to dust.
When you lose someone close, the door to writing lines upon lines of what life is or isn't flows like the river running freely through the paths between the grass and cobbled stones, scattered and set over time.
Life is everything yet it's nothing.
I am so glad that I was blessed with Mina's friendship, it was the truest friendship possible in the sense that it was there, but never on a platform of guilt, anger, fear, or burdened with obligations.
It was as free as the birds in the skies and the easiest friendship ever.
We dipped in and out whenever, and had many shared moments of laughter.
She always listened but never pulled down or judged.
She was an uncut and unpolished diamond but I was lucky to realise that even the dirt that often is taken off to reach the gem was precious in what made Mina up.
Uncut and unpolished was the way she had to stay for one to get the full benefit of what and who she was.
To have one true friend is lucky, to have a Mina is a blessing.
I was blessed to give all I could while she walked this earth, I had no regrets in my friendship with Mina and that is my added blessing of having had such a being, as a friend.
I had 35 years with Mina and for the rest of my life, will stay blessed in stories shared as I keep her alive in regaling laughs with all that cross my path in the rest of my journey on this earth.
She took her last journey alone but left me with the blessing of 2 sons James and Yomi, 2 extra sisters Alero and Toyin and another brother Seni.
She took her last journey alone but left me with the joy of keeping her alive in all I share of the experiences we had together as friends.
Thank you Mina, when I think of pure love that will be you.
On this note, I leave you with all that is pure, love!
(Part of an email to my friend Pauline days after Mina's demise, that ended up as an eulogy)
Wilhelmina Oluwabunmi Nana (27 Apr 1965 - 27 Aug 2019)
Funeral Director
- Location
- East London Cemetery Grange road London E13 0HB
- Date
- 23rd Sep 2019
- Time
- 12.15pm
In loving memory of Wilhelmina Oluwabunmi Nana who returned to her heavenly home on the 27th August 2019.
Mina a resident of Canning Town, East London, sadly passed unexpectedly at the age of 54 while at home. Mina is survived by her mother, uncles and aunts; her sons James and Yomi, her younger sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews and cousins.
Mina was born in London on April 27, 1965 to Wilson and Eunice Nana. She attended Iwade County Primary School in Sittingboune, Kent. Followed by secondary school in Nigeria at St Teresa’s College. She then went on to pursue professional qualifications in the culinary arts. She followed her passion and worked for over 30 years in the catering industry as a sous chef.
On March 15, 1988 and January 15, 1999 respectively, she welcomed her two beautiful sons, who were the most important part of her life.
Mina was a devoted Christian, a woman of faith who was immersed in the Christian community from a young age and involved in many church activities throughout her life. She enjoyed cooking, baking, knitting, tapestry, flower making, car boot sales and collectibles, reading, travel and music in particular gospel, Motown, soul and R & B, but most especially time spent with family and friends. Mina will be remembered by her kind and gentle spirit. She was loving and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and loved ones who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her creator.
A Celebration of Life (funeral service) is scheduled for 23rd September 11:00 a.m. at Ascension Church Centre, Baxter Road, London E16 3HJ.
The burial service will be conducted at the East London Cemetery. Reverend Dave Chesney will officiate, with a reception to follow at the church hall at Ascension Church Centre.
Flowers and condolences may be offered at F A Albins & Sons Ltd, Arthur Stanley House, 52 Culling Road, London SE16 2TN. The family have requested that if wearing black please include a touch of purple or lilac or alternatively please wear just lilac or purple.
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