Did you celebrate your 40th birthday by writing a book? Adeola Adekugbe did! She decided to commemorate the occasion by thanking the many people who have impacted her life and helped her along the way to become the woman that she is today. I love that!
Adeola prefaces her book by referring to the poem titled “Reason, Season, and a Lifetime”, which had a big effect on her as it helped her to understand her relationships. She also notes, “The Bible says we should ‘give to everyone what you owe them…if honor, then honor.’” Here in this book is her tribute to them.
We begin by meeting her large family. She defines family as people who are not necessarily related to her by blood, but by heart and spirit. Adeola, born in Lagos, Nigeria, gives an especially loving tribute to both of her parents. As she does for the many people throughout the book, she writes a sentence or two summarizing what she admires most about her father and mother, and how they blessed her. We then go with her to a boarding school in Manchester, England, one of the most difficult times in her young life, and through her teen years. Adeola relates how she first came to trust Jesus as her Savior, and tells about the people who most influenced her life at that time, including her pastor and husband. Coming to Calgary was a new chapter in her and her family’s lives, and it brought many new relationships to appreciate. It is a joy to read her loving words about her children.
This woman has now become a wife, mother, leader, philanthropist, and life coach. She closes her memoir with gestures typical of her generous heart: a list of suggested organizations that people may want to donate to in honor of their own 40th birthday, and songs about God’s faithfulness. Her hope is that Celebrating Milestones blesses her readers, and encourages them to look around and appreciate those who have impacted and molded them.
Pastor Ben Adekugbe, Senior Pastor of Calgary World Harvest Christian Centre, Alberta, Canada, wrote the forward to the book, and says these words about it:
Often times, great acts of courage, love and compassion by ordinary people come across as being ignored until after the person has passed on. It is far more rewarding to appreciate them while they are alive…It goes beyond appreciation; it is a book that inspires hope and courage in the individual, it helps us understand that there are no “chance meetings” in life but opportunities to contribute to history…I pray this book will bring healing to those hurting and give them the courage to be whatever God has called them to be or achieve, to the glory of His name.
I found this book to be a kind and creative approach to celebrating the beginning of a life, and an inspiration to look at my own life with appreciation for the many people who God placed in it, at the just the right times and places.
You can find Celebrating Milestones: 40 Years of Great Influence on Amazon, and you can visit Adeola’s websites at:
Adeola Coaching Services – www.adeola.org
All Woman Ministry – www.allwoman.ca
Happily Writing 