Home is Where the Heart Is ~ Tinuola Olateju

by SLY on June 7th, 2010

I mentioned in a previous post how difficult it was to go with Ariel, Lola, and Chris inside of the Olateju’s family home. What was once a vibrant home seemed desolate and in need of some loving care and a powerful loving spirit. I was heartbroken to think my last memories of the place would involve sorting through Tinu’s belongings to prepare for the funeral. I didn’t want that to be my last memory.

I remember speaking with Wale, Lola’s boyfriend about that. I told him how frustrated and confused I was about these different memories inside the house.

Well, I am happy to say that after the funeral and the burial, everyone met back at the Olateju’s family home. This is where the repass was held. There were people everywhere. There were family members, friends of all the children, neighbors. There was food. I heard laughter. The brownies were amazing. Whoever made them, thank you. I think I ate six or seven.

There was music. Someone prayed. I met new friends. There was so much love in that room. We were even able to play Tinu’s tribute video. At the funeral, somehow wires were crossed and it didn’t happen when it should have. I must say for a moment I was upset. I had worked tirelessly until 5am the morning of the complete it and I hadn’t had time to have Lola or someone in the family review it. Therefore I was already nervous that it wasn’t perfect or what they wanted. I looked forward to them viewing it on a large screen at the funeral so that along with seeing Tinu’s body, they would see these larger than life pictures of her smiles. But if something can go wrong, it probably will.

However with Sunday’s help and Wale’s help and Sola’s help and Lola’s help…we got the movie burned off my laptop onto a DVD and were able to play it on the play station and flat screen TV. Seeing the family sitting around watching it and pointing out themselves in Tinu’s pictures was worth it. Having her father hug me and say Thank You was worth. I will be posting the video on facebook, YouTube and my website very soon. I’ll also be making a longer one at the request of the family.

Back to my point. Now my last memory in the Olateju’s family home is one full of love, laughter, good food, friends and many hugs. We acknowledge that it was still weird and a bit hard to be there, considering. But even still, I am glad that my last memory is of that.