I know that my Redeemer lives –
He lives, to plead for me above;
He lives, my hungry soul to feed;
He lives, to help in time of need.” Amen
Samuel Medley (1738 – 1799)
TODAY in the pool of silence lies the mortal remains of my husband, brother and friend, Francis Clottey.
Our love story started when Francis and I first
met at a function several years ago. He was not only good-looking but also intelligent and easy to chat with. I realised and felt he had some interest in me when he offered me a lift home after the function. A few days later, Francis phoned me up and told me of enquiries he had made about me. Ironically, I also made enquiries about him at the same time. My enquiries revealed some unflattering stories that put me off completely and so when he contacted me the second time, I just said no and ignored his persistent advances. Francis was not the type who would accept no as the definitive and final answer. He kept persevering until one day I asked him why he was not giving up. He boldly said, “Sorry madam, of all the ladies who fit my criteria, you are the one I have decided on.” Following further unrelenting phone calls, I decided to take a chance with Francis.
It did not take long before I realised that he was not at all the man stories had depicted him to be.
Francis was kind and generous. He was very temperamental but I was always able to manage him and his situations very well with the help of the Sovereign Lord. He liked to read the newspapers and discussed the current issues in them with me and also with friends over the phone. At times, he argued for long hours. He also enjoyed solving crossword puzzles. He discussed the Scriptures with his group when they met in church and sometimes, whenever a member in the group was nominated to read the Scripture in church but was absent, Francis would replace the absentee member and read the Scriptures in church.
Francis was not only my husband; he was also my carer who really cared for me when I needed him. Francis, thank you for being there for me. I will sorely miss you always!
Soon after his 80th birthday, he started having some health problems as do many octogenarians have, but being the fighter as he was, he fought through them until he developed a different kind of illness with complications quite recently. That proved too much for his ageing body and on Sunday, 30th October, he succumbed to the illness.
Francis, the candle of your life on earth has flickered and burned out but the flame of your spirit will continue to burn in our hearts. I have lost a brother and a friend. Many people will miss you, but not as much as I would; my consolation is that you have been relieved of your pain and now you are resting peacefully in the bosom of our Lord.
May the peace of the Lord remain and rest with your soul till we meet again.
Francis Nii Lartey Clottey, my darling, farewell (Yaawo dzogbann) Rest in peace!!! Amen