Grandkids

Growing up in America as an African child was difficult but I was always thought I was proud of my culture because it was a big part of me. I was proud to tell me peers that I was African, until they asked me how to pronounce my middle name. Luckily, I had 3 so I would just respond, “Brittany”. They’d specifically ask about “Agyeiwaa” though and I would respond, “I’m not sure.. I just know it’s my grandma’s name that they gave me.” If you ask me today, I’d be more than proud to pronounce my name, help you spell it, and even give you the meaning behind it. I appreciate my dad for naming me after grandma Kukudodo, as we call her.

On one of our visits with Grandma, my siblings and I all gathered in her room. She would go through the room naming everyone as if it was a roll call for attendance. I would get excited every time she got to me because I was extra special. She’d said, “Agyeiwaa number 3… Abena Agyeiwaa.” She would then give us a history lesson about the significance of our name. I really enjoyed these talks because they made me proud of my culture and the family I came from. She would say, “Agyeiwaa fuo diɛr yɛ niɛ ɛden”. The literally translation is people named Agyeiwaa have hard eyes loll but she was saying we’re strong willed. My grandma helped me appreciate the importance of names and how they shape who we are.

Yaa Agyeiwaa Okodie was definitely a leader, a woman that soared in everything she did, she was accepted no nonsense but had grace for everyone. She impacted lives of so many. She experienced grief from loss and always prevailed. She experienced love. She watched her children, grand children, and a few great grand children grow. She was able to witness her family grow through generations as she lead and loved us… she lived a long prosperous life.

Dear Grandma , I am writing this as a letter hoping that you would hear it and know how much you meant to all of us ,waking up to hear that you were no more was so shocking to hear especially knowing that I saw you gradually seem better when I was around you ,but I am not surprised knowing that you might have put on a smile just to make sure the people you love do not feel the pain you felt, and having the burden of seeing you unwell the last 2 weeks you were alive was so painful that I wept so much having to see you in that state , but now that I think of it I see that it was a blessing .

You shared so much with me within that period from advising me to telling me stories.”where is my professor ” you would always shout when you needed anything , and I am glad that you saw me as the person you could talk to and be comfortable around .you would call me to lay by your side while you would sing and play with me and laugh, but little did I know that leaving you thinking you were going to get better was going to change my life for good. Nana da yie , you meant the world to myself and everyone you came into contact with because you were simply a blessing to all of us . You will be missed more than we even know because we have not felt the full impact of your demise yet .

Wherever you are , which is definitely heaven just know that we love you and will continue to cherish your memory .Your teachings and sayings will live on for generations to come .As a mother hen protects and guides her offsprings , so have you set a path for a whole generation that is even yet to come .Rest well Grandma.I will love you forever

Grandma Kukudodo was an amazing and genuine soul. She left a mark on every single person she came in contact with. She dedicated her life to Christ and inspired everyone around her to do the same. Every year for as long as I can remember, grandma always gifted everyone a daily devotional. She would personally write in each book with our names and a special prayer. Whether we saw her at the start of the year or not, she would always make sure they got to us and I appreciate her for that. Although, I rarely read through her 3am devotions she’d send every morning, I have really missed them. However, I am glad I always kept them and I will be able to go back and read them at any time. I know that she is in a better place with the Lord who she devoted her life to. I pray I am able to live a life that glorifies God in every way, just as she did. I love and miss you sooo much grandma!

Rest in perfect peace,

Your granddaughter Alexis

I know sometimes I may not be available and I will assign my duties to others but you will call to tell me you still don’t see it done. The last time I visited you with Ruth(my Wife) I remember you specifically told her to take very good care of your great grandchildren not knowing it was your last words to us.

I know you leaving us is Heaven’s gain , because the Jesus Grandma you knew , you made sure everyone who was closer to you got to know too.

May your humble soul Rest In Perfect Peace until we meet again.

Life’s uncertainties has a way of teaching us to appreciate the things/ people we value most; there you will find happiness. Happiness was spending time with my Grandma and the people around her who taught me respect, culture, and most importantly love. Always, your Pompom!

You truly were a special, special woman! You may have passed on, but your memories would always live on within us. Thank you for your sacrifices, your care and concern, your love and everything that you have done for me. Wherever you are, I know you are in a much better place. I will be forever grateful and thankful that you are my ‘grandmother’.Rest well Granny

I lived everyday knowing and reminding myself that I would see you one day when I finish school being the professor you always told me I was .My priority is to make you proud and make sure you never look down from heaven and not be satisfied with the person I promise you I am going to be .

From daily messages to frequent calls just to make sure I was always okay . The love I have for you can never fade or be replaced .The sad news of your demise has left a hole in my heart that even time cannot heal .I write all this with tears in my eyes , wondering who would want a person twice her weight to sit in her lap and share her food with her.

There would never be anyone like you Grandma , Never .I won’t be around to see you off to the next life and this decision is because I have to stay and finish what I started in school in order to make you proud and fulfil my promise to you to give nothing but my best academically and in everything I do.

To me you were immortal because there was never a lifetime in which I ever pictured you leaving us behind here. Rest easy Grandma , I will always appreciate having you in my life .Till we meet again . With Love

Many will testify to the fact that your Prescence always brought us together. True example of a vitreous woman, a rare treasure, not many are there like you; We’ve really lost a great woman because your hard kind is so hard to find. Vocabulary cannot express fully our love for you T.A.M and our gratitude cannot be covered in these few lines; it’s a heartfelt gratitude.

You lived a life full of glory and the blessings of God. That glory still abides in us because in your absence, you still make impact. You were always keen and consistent in building our spiritual lives, and it is that which has made us who we are today. All the heartfelt advices you gave, has rooted us deeply in Christ and shifted us to the full measure of his glory.

You used to say this a lot “what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”. It is you granny, who made us understand how catastrophic it will be to trade our relationship with Jesus for something else. Thank you for all the investment you’ve made in our lives, it proves and articulates what an amazing woman you were.

We know you are resting in the Lord’s bosom. See you there someday. We love! Live Forever.

With the gift of many years comes the treasure of knowing that I love you so dearly, the memories you made will last forever, the tenderness you’ve shared with me as a grandson will never fade.

The most wonderful gift you could ever give is the SPECIAL PART OF YOU, that lives in each of your grandchildren especially me; and the truth your love has taught me can only be strengthened by the gift of time. Every day, I miss you more and more. I remember all the prayers you always said for me which has made me who I am today.

Where roots grow deep, memories grow forever I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MY EVERLASTINLY EVER “T.A.M” Keep resting in the bosom of the Almighty, Till we meet again….

It is my prayer that the earth you once walked upon will keep the indelible prints of your foot steps; that men will see your God, the God you gave me. You did your God proud and I’m glad you’re resting now. You lived well dear sojourner and, this Agyeiwa promises to make you proud. GREAT MONARCH, DAUGHTER OF DESTINY, ENJOY YOUR REST.

Being my grandma has been one of my greatest prides on earth and continues to be even in death. You had me in your bosom and you sparked up my flickering flames so l could burn on my own. Then the light went out and you were gone; gone to a better place to the source of light and life itself. The monuments you’ve erected in the life of this Agyeiwa will continue to speak to nations and generations to come, of what a great woman you were. It is my prayer that the earth you once walked upon will keep the indelible prints of your foot steps; that men will see your God, the God you gave me. You did your God proud and I’m glad you’re resting now.

You lived well dear sojourner and, this Agyeiwa promises to make you proud. GREAT MONARCH, DAUGHTER OF DESTINY, ENJOY YOUR REST. My dear grandma, I watched you with great admiration as you took what was in your hands and made the very best out of it. A beautiful home that was a welcoming place for many and your unwavering dedication to the things of God was beautiful to see and an example to everyone around you. I’ll miss your daily whatsapp messages ‘daily prayer pills’, you never ever missed a day and when I didn’t receive one I would give you a call.

You cared about the souls of others. I remember coming to your Sunday school class as a young child and watching with proud admiration as you led 30+ young children through Bible study. Oh what great reward awaits you in heaven grandma, indeed a good and faithful servant. I’ll miss you grandma, thank you for everything

Grandma , I am lost for words even as I write this right now .I wake up everyday and ask myself if this is really true . The moment I realised everything was going to be different was when I stopped receiving daily sermons and messages that always reminded me to be one with God. Making sure we were all morally and spiritually upright was your utmost priority . I lived everyday knowing and reminding myself that I would see you one day when I finish school being the professor you always told me I was .My priority is to make you proud and make sure you never look down from heaven and not be satisfied with the person I promise you I am going to be . From daily messages to frequent calls just to make sure I was always okay .

The love I have for you can never fade or be replaced .The sad news of your demise has left a hole in my heart that even time cannot heal .I write all this with tears in my eyes , wondering who would want a person twice her weight to sit in her lap and share her food with her. There would never be anyone like you Grandma , Never .I won’t be around to see you off to the next life and this decision is because I have to stay and finish what I started in school in order to make you proud and fulfil my promise to you to give nothing but my best academically and in everything I do.To me you were immortal because there was never a lifetime in which I ever pictured you leaving us behind here. Rest easy Grandma , I will always appreciate having you in my life .Till we meet again . With Love

Grandma was the most loving and caring person in the world. any time you need help she is there, and anytime your going through a rough time she would be there, if anything happens to you she would call to see how your doing asap. she is the kind of person no one can hate and everyone loves

And when I say this I mean it I loved her so much she would make everyone laugh she a huge Impact on us all the most, she spread love to all of us especially

Grandma you may have passed on, but your love and memories would live with us forever . I thank you for your advice , care , concern and everything you did for me. I will always remember how you advice me to take good care of your great grandchildren and also live a loyal life. I’m forever grateful for the trust you had for me in everything you assign me to do for you. I know sometimes I may not be available and I will assign my duties to others but you will call to tell me you still don’t see it done. The last time I visited you with Ruth(my Wife) I remember you specifically told her to take very good care of your great grandchildren not knowing it was your last words to us.

I know you leaving us is Heaven’s gain , because the Jesus Grandma you knew , you made sure everyone who was closer to you got to know too. May your humble soul Rest In Perfect Peace until we meet again.

You were always keen and consistent in building our spiritual lives, and it is that which has made us who we are today. All the heartfelt advices you gave, has rooted us deeply in Christ and shifted us to the full measure of his glory. You used to say this a lot “what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”. It is you granny, who made us understand how catastrophic it will be to trade our relationship with Jesus for something else. Thank you for all the investment you’ve made in our lives, it proves and articulates what an amazing woman you were.

We know you are resting in the Lord’s bosom. See you there someday. We love! Live Forever.

With the gift of many years comes the treasure of knowing that I love you so dearly, the memories you made will last forever, the tenderness you’ve shared with me as a grandson will never fade.

Where roots grow deep, memories grow forever I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MY EVERLASTINLY EVER “T.A.M” Keep resting in the bosom of the Almighty, Till we meet again….

The sad news of your demise has left a hole in my heart that even time cannot heal .I write all this with tears in my eyes , wondering who would want a person twice her weight to sit in her lap and share her food with her. There would never be anyone like you Grandma , Never .I won’t be around to see you off to the next life and this decision is because I have to stay and finish what I started in school in order to make you proud and fulfil my promise to you to give nothing but my best academically and in everything I do.To me you were immortal because there was never a lifetime in which I ever pictured you leaving us behind here.

Rest easy Grandma , I will always appreciate having you in my life .Till we meet again . With Love

The monuments you’ve erected in the life of this Agyeiwa will continue to speak to nations and generations to come, of what a great woman you were. It is my prayer that the earth you once walked upon will keep the indelible prints of your foot steps; that men will see your God, the God you gave me. You did your God proud and I’m glad you’re resting now. You lived well dear sojourner and, this Agyeiwa promises to make you proud. GREAT MONARCH, DAUGHTER OF DESTINY, ENJOY YOUR REST

My dear grandma, I watched you with great admiration as you took what was in your hands and made the very best out of it. A beautiful home that was a welcoming place for many and your unwavering dedication to the things of God was beautiful to see and an example to everyone around you. I’ll miss your daily whatsapp messages ‘daily prayer pills’, you never ever missed a day and when I didn’t receive one I would give you a call. You cared about the souls of others. I remember coming to your Sunday school class as a young child and watching with proud admiration as you led 30+ young children through Bible study. Oh what great reward awaits you in heaven grandma, indeed a good and faithful servant. I’ll miss you grandma, thank you for everything

To my Grandma Theo – Thank you for being an amazing grandma to my siblings and I. Your love was tangible and real. Your affectionate smile each time we visited Kumasi, will be indelibly etched in my memory. You had a special song for me…”Paapa nie, kwaadede, kotopr3…… y3 b3 di, y3 mma obiara”, as I was named after your father, of blessed memory, Opanyin Moses Yaw Obeng.

Several times you carried me on your back, and sang this same song, I enjoyed every minute of those moments. Even as I got older and much heavier, you made several attempts to carry me. These are all fond memories that I will treasure for a lifetime.

Thank you for all your prayers and godly counsel. Da yie Grandma.

Mrs. Theodora Manful was my true mother, counselor, advisor, consultant, mentor, guidance, and inspirer. I met Mama when I was in middle school 55 years ago. She took me as her biological son. She called me at least 2 times every day to ask me about my well-being and the health of my family. When I became Asante Presbytery Lay Rep she prayed for me every day and counseled me to make sure I was on track and cause for the Lord and his work. Mother, you were a devoted and committed Christian in Town Fellowship Scripture Union K.O. through that you became a founding member of the Asafo Christian Fellowship when you were active and lively in Scripture Union (SU).

You also helped the Asafo Christian Fellowship under SU to gain accommodation at Collegiate – Asafo. I cannot describe your affection and fondness for the Lord and His work. Your love for God cannot be described by pen and paper. You lived by the Word of God, a well-cultured, always neatly dressed, and well-behaved Christian both in private and public. Your lifestyle was exemplary of a true Christian and you reflected the Word of God. You were a true mother. Your husband went to be with the Lord when you were 37 years and you dedicated your life to the devotion of God and raising of us your children without any husband for the past 50 years.

In truth, you absolutely married the Lord’s work and proved that nothing matters in life than to serve your Maker with devotion, faithfulness, and dedicated heart. For your children to prosper and succeed in life you sold kerosene, sugar cane, gari, and charcoal to raise us. And today, your children can boast of successful lives because of your care and commitment to us. Your loyalty to God made us call you “Mama Good News”. Because you gathered us together and shared God’s Word with us and gave us food to eat.

In any house you moved to, you gathered the children within your catchment area and taught them the good news, and also fed them. This made the people you nurtured and taught the good news call you “Mama Goods”. You will always be in my heart and mind till we meet again. Dayie Mama, Nyame mfa won sie yie na wo nwoma pa nni wa kye. Di fie kan kohwe yen.

Mama, you are great

You lived for God and Man.

Your raised great future leaders.

Your kindness, love, and steadfastness were unmatched.

You demonstrated that a life well lived must be celebrated.

You are really a virtuous woman and a true legend.

Your good works surely will follow you to your Maker.

Obaa Yaa Agyeiwaa Kodie, amansen ni

Nofo kεsea, amanse nyinaa enom ano.

Maame, wɔ woo me εkɔm de me, maame na memfa he

Yafunu wura

Eno na agya yεn hɔ sei, εfia adampan

wɔwɔ he nie.

Maame wɔ yεsuo mpa mani so da mεkae wo daa

Maame mafe wo na menyε dεn nie

Nea Onyame pε na wayε

Nasεm ka sε Awurade ahotefoɔ wuo deε,

neboɔ yε den nanim.

Nyame fa won sie, wo nwomapa ni wakyi.

Di fie kan kɔ hwen yεn. Da bi y ε behyia bio. Amen

For the period that I lived with Grandma; I’ve come to realise how different some people can be. She’s simply one in a million, she was one of her kind; the kind I’ve never seen before. She took me in as her own daughter and treated me as such, along with the four children that I had with me when I moved into her home. She treated them too as her grandchildren. She helped me, advised me and comforted me.

She was compassionate towards all. I have the opportunity to stay in Kumasi because of her. My children have the privilege of getting a better education because of Mrs. Manful. Mrs. Manful, you did well by raising your children and grandchildren in the fear of God. I say this because the godly values you instilled in them, have not caused them to discriminate against me, neither have they disposed of me and my children.

Grandma, for the countless things you’ve done for me and my children, God bless you. I know that God has you in the bosom of Abraham but, I want to bid you adieu: May God keep you in His perfect rest. Bridget, Godfred, Princess and Kwaku say thank you.

Eno batampa, meda wo ase bebree.

Meeting Mrs Theodora Agyeiwaa Manful made me understand that God indeed works through human. Grandma as we affectionaly called her took me as her daughter and for that matter her last born. Grandma showed me real love from the very first day Esi introduced me to her as her friend from training college in the year 1992. Since then she never took me as her daughter’s friend but one of her children and shown me love as a mother does.

Mrs Theodora Agyeiwaa Manful has done a lot for me and my entire family and amongst them include facilitating my transfer from Effiduase to Kumasi, accommodating my family and I in her house from 2006 and even after joining my husband in United States, you still accommodated my family. You’re a mother of a kind, no wonder my husband and I didn’t give a second thought to name our last born Kwabena Agyei after you. I wish to have come back to meet you in person not this state but God knows best. We are going to miss your wise counsel, love, generosity and you. My family and I are grateful to you and we cannot thank you enough.

Rest well Ena Pa.

Kwabena took me to meet my second mother for the first time at her then office at Adum Post Office in 1979. Her maternal instinct alerted her that I was Kwabena’s twin from a different mother. She since then never treated me differently from the rest of my sinlings. Fast forward to my adult life and Ohemaa Yaa Agyeiwaa was my prayer worrior and my intercessor. I shared with Kwabena and Daddy Sam that whenever I was facing any life challenges, and without telling her, she will telephone me in London, ask us to pray and she will be mentioning the situations that I was in and she will name names that are associated with my challenges at the time. One particular instant, it was extremely difficult, Ohemaa Yaa Agyeiwaa phone me, she detected I was driving, and asked me to find a safe space to park which I did. She prayed and after this fervent prayer, I felt like a ton weight of cement had been lifted from my shoulders. Now, I’m proud that God has called Ohemaa Yaa Agyeiwaa home so that she will continue to be our divine Guardian Angel.

Ɔbaatan pa a ɔde mpayɛ na ɛbɔ ne mma ho ban; da yie!!!

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Grandkids

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