The author dedicated his true story, posthumously to the memory of his mother. He talks about what constitutes a "Quintessential Mother" by reflecting on the relationship between his mother and her adult children. He draws upon the seemingly endless love, admiration, and adoration for the importance of words his mother taught him and his siblings that we utter to friends and foe alike, and the immense power of prayers and forgiveness in our lives. He recalls how his "quintessential" Mother, who passed away at age 87, lived a life of remaining calm in the midst of raging storms. He recalls the Bible story they often read in the family devotion (while growing up in Nigeria), about Jesus and His disciples panicking and desperately fearful that the boat they were in with Jesus, (who was taking a nap at the time), was about to capsize as the raging storm battled them. You know the story so well, I am sure. Their panic awakened Jesus, who said to them: "O, ye, of little faith" and calmed the raging sea!" He recalls his mother's most powerful legacies to all her adult nine children. One such legacy is "Have you prayed about "it"? By this, she meant "Have you prayed and poured your heart to HIM about what is troubling your soul?" The other is that she reminded us of the Biblical injunction that says: " Be Still And Know That I Am God. He reminds people of all faiths, and creeds: Jews and Gentiles, White, Black, Hispanics, Muslims, Christians, Agnostic, Buddhists, etc., etc, that we are ALL brought to this terrestrial earth by women, adorable women, our mothers, who would rather lose the jewelry they wear around their necks, and the earrings that glitter in their earlobes than have their children's needs go unmet!. He puts it succinctly by telling this story: "My heart sank when I saw, recently on TV networks, a clip on the mother and father of their son, who was killed by the ruthless act of antisemitism and hate, by a group called ISIS, on a direct order by the president of the USA, "supposedly the greatest nation on earth". That clip reminded me that the love that that mother has for her adult child, who was killed, is, for lack of a better adjective, must be "consummate" love, next to God's redeeming love for comforting us in the midst of our sorrows!"
This is Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi's true story about "Meet My Mother." He tells it compellingly well in a storytelling fashion that makes his readers feel like saying to him: "Been there, done that; " we know exactly what you are saying to us. This is the way that the author honors his "quintessential mother", whose job, like most mothers' jobs throughout the world, is never ending, never finished, very much unlike a conventional "job description" that most of us adhere to when we perform our paid jobs. What I am trying to say is: "You can never pay enough for what a mother does to her family. By default, and by way of applicability to the world at large, and quite frankly to humanity, we can NEVER pay enough money to recompense motherhood. So, I dedicate "Meet My Mother" to ALL MOTHERS, worldwide. KUDOS TO ALL MOTHERS! You are doing an amazing job!
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Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi Honors His Mother in Meet My Mother
In Meet My Mother, Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi dedicates a true and deeply personal story to the memory of his late mother, celebrating her as the embodiment of a “quintessential mother.” Through heartfelt reflection, he paints a portrait of a woman whose calm spirit, unwavering faith, and boundless love shaped the lives of her nine children and continues to inspire others beyond her family.
The book recalls how his mother lived a life of serenity even in the midst of raging storms, reminding her children through word and deed that prayer and trust in God are anchors of strength. One of her lasting legacies remains her gentle but powerful question: “Have you prayed about it?” With these words, she encouraged her family to bring their troubles before God, teaching them that faith and forgiveness can carry them through life’s most difficult challenges.
Interwoven with biblical stories shared during family devotions in Nigeria—such as Jesus calming the storm—Dr. Akinyemi connects his mother’s teachings to timeless lessons of courage and faith. Her guidance resonates not only within the family but also with readers from all walks of life, regardless of culture, creed, or background.
At its core, Meet My Mother is not only a tribute to one extraordinary woman but also to motherhood itself. Dr. Akinyemi reminds us that mothers across the world—whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or otherwise—share a universal devotion that cannot be measured or repaid. He draws parallels between his own experiences and those of mothers everywhere, highlighting how their sacrifices and unconditional love sustain families and communities.
By honoring his mother, who passed away at the age of 87, Dr. Akinyemi extends his gratitude to all mothers worldwide. His story is both personal and universal, a testament to love that transcends time, faith, and culture. In his words, “KUDOS TO ALL MOTHERS! You are doing an amazing job!”
