The Birth of Temitayọ

The evening of 6th February 1987 was just another day on my way back from Silsoe. It was a Friday, and Tọpẹ had left her foster parents in Bedford as soon as Grace started her maternity leave. I was rushing home, looking forward to seeing my little daughter. I was also very hungry and exhausted and could not wait to have my dinner. As I was about to put the key in the keyhole to open the door, I noticed that a note had been stuck to our front door. It was dark, so I could not read it properly. I removed it and moved to a place where there was light. It was Grace’s handwriting. She said she had gone to the hospital and that I should go to Akinola’s house—another family friend’s house on the next block—to bring Tọpẹ back home. Akinọla, the first son of one of our Nigerian neighbours, Dr Ọduntan, now deceased, was a few months older than Tọpẹ. 

At first, I was nervous. I did not waste any time and went straight to check on Tọpẹ. I met Mrs Ọduntan, who explained that Grace had gone into labour and had been rushed to Mile End Hospital. I went straight to the hospital and found Grace lying on the bed. I gave her a kiss and asked if she was alright. She said everything was fine. We were looking at each other for a couple of minutes, and she just kept smiling but did not say anything in particular. I just wanted to be sure she was okay. She probably noticed that I had not seen the new baby lying in the cot. I was shocked and in disbelief. She had given birth shortly after arriving at the hospital. It was apparently an easy birth, as she had not experienced as much labour as when Tọpẹ was born. 

I saw my new baby lying in the cot near Grace’s bed. I was overwhelmed with joy. I did not even think to ask if it was a boy or a girl. All that mattered to me was that both Grace and my new baby were well. She told me it was a girl. My father used to tell me that his first three children by his first wife were girls, and there was peace in his home. So I was more than happy to have as many girls in my home as God would give me. I was too overjoyed to think about anything other than getting both of them home as quickly as possible. The excitement was clearly written all over my face. I had always believed that the grace of God was sufficient for me. With the birth of my second daughter, Grace had added a new meaning to my life. 

I had just become the father of two. In the beginning, I was alone. With my marriage to Grace, we became two. When Tọpẹ arrived, we became three. With the new baby, we became four.

Extracts from Grace and Resilience: A Personal Story of My Life’s Journey, coming soon