Nakumbuka wewe
I still remember them.
I hate to admit I have forgotten some names.
But I remember something about them.
My earliest memory was in primary school.
She was my classmate's younger sister.
I remember her.
She lived down the road.
She was my childhood best friend's "street daughter."
I remember her.
I remember him.
He lived a street away from me.
He was a nice person and always smiling.
His older brother is friends with my folks, so I remember him.
I remember his burial.
I never met him, but I met one of his daughters. We were at NYSC camp together.
Witnessing his burial humbled me.
My brain could not process how he did not scream or push back when lowered to the ground.
How could I ever forget her?
She was my indomie eating partner.
She was the coolest grandma ever! My grandma. She birthed my fave.
She always tried to ensure I did not get home late after visiting her.
Whatever you give her, she would always give some out. Always!
I have many memories of her, her bus stop, slang, indomie, picture, and calmness.
I remember her.
We met during USIU orientation and became friends - close friends.
I remember her smile.
She was so kind.
Even though I met most of her family members after her death, they all knew who I was.
Do you remember him?
Of course, I remember him.
One of the most hardworking people I have ever met.
We called him by his surname.
He was a shining star.
An extraordinary sales and business manager.
I remember where I was when I heard the news of his demise, it shook the team.
Do you remember her?
How could I ever forget her?
She made my university life more manageable.
Herself and NG started award night.
She was one of my marketing north stars.
She was fearless.
She was our Lily
I remember who handed me the phone and who broke the news.
He was like a father; he treated me like I was his.
We had the same complexion and lived beside each other, so people thought I was his.
I remember him.
We always discussed my results and plans.
He always gave me "something" to take to school.
He would randomly call to check up on me.
She was my grandma.
The one that told me my oriki is Asake-Okin.
I heard stories of how she took care of me when I was little.
She would tell me stories when I visited and ask after everyone.
I remember her smile.
I lived on a street named after her. How could I ever forget her? Fearless!
His nickname is the contested area between Nigeria and Cameroon. He was so kind and warm. I remember him.
I remember him; he was my first employer. I interned at the organization where he was a partner.
How can I forget him?
He was like mine; his brother thinks I am their mom's biological sister.
I attended his naming ceremony.
I was with him sometime last year.
I remember his infectious smile.
Most people could carry him; he was not too clingy to his mom.
I remember so many others! So many!
I remember those that did not come home.
The one I already shopped for.
The one I planned to spoil.
The one that left before I even started planning.
Shangazi yako inakumbuka wewe.
I am grateful I met you or thought about you.
Till next time, remember death is the only sure thing in life.
*Shangazi yako inakumbuka wewe means your aunty remembers you
*Translated using my basic knowledge of Swahili, Google Translate, and webtran.eu
I remember all, starting from best friend in primary school..how I came home and from boarding school because I left in primary 5 that she had been hit by a car and died.. I remb my father, how I was told of his death on my way home for midterm break...I remember my close friend in secondary school...very fair like a white....I remember all at different times and I'm always humble
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing them with us!
DeleteDeath can be humbling.
Hmmmmm....very thoughtful of you to have written about this.
ReplyDeleteMay the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace 🙏
🙏🙏🙏🙏
DeleteI remember him too much...
ReplyDeleteHe drove me to school and picked me up from my early years till College.
I remember our Sunday evening strolls.
He was such a peaceful and kind man.
Peaceful, yet outgoing and fun to be with.
Very conscious and fearful of Allah.
He made us laugh all the time.
So Handsome, Subhanallah.
Always well put together.
Some lady would have been lucky to have him as a life partner.
He was always striving to be better in the deen.
Loved the Qur'an.
Hated Gossip.
Loved children.
Served his parents and family.
How can I ever forget him.
A model man.
He was my brother, my parents only son.
We know now that your life was a gift that was meant to bless us forever.
May Allah rest your soul and shine perpetual light on your grave and on those of the departed(Ameen).
May HE grant you Al-Jannah Firdaous and elevate your rank. Ameen
We miss you all the time...a heartbreaking reality we've had to grasp.
Till we meet again ��.
He sounds like an amazing soul. Aameen
DeleteThis is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI remember him, he was there for the birth of my two kids, his grandchildren. I waited for him for the third grandchild but he never came.
I remember her, she was my strength when he was no more. But she soon followed her son.
I remember him. I kept dodging his call because I didn't have an explanation for my action. Until he started dodging mine permanently, never to pick my call in this life.
I remember them all, sometimes I smile at fond memories. Sometimes i cry at what could have been.
I remember them all.
Thank you for being vulnerable enough to share.
DeleteHmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteDeath!!!
It's the greatest enemy of man. So humbling as you rightly said.
I remember a lot that have gone, especially the both souls that birthed me.
How can I forget, my dearest grandma.
And he that was my friends younger brother.
But I have hope, that they will be resurrected back to a life filled with peace and endless joy.
"I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous"
And also God has promised that very soon
"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away"
"And the last enemy, *death*, is to be brought to nothing."
Deep and insightful.
DeleteWe are travelers on this earth!
I remember her too Billy!
ReplyDeleteHow can I ever forget!
I can still remember that morning I picked up your call!
I remember feeling disoriented!
I remember my boss asking me to go home!
I remember calling hubby and crying nonstop!
I remember all the feelings I felt that morning!
I remember our Lily Ufuoma and I will never forget her!
Thanks for this Billy! I always like reading your posts!
❤️❤️❤️
DeleteI remember you, the first friend I made in Uni, I remember what you wore, where you were standing and what we talked about. I remember when you had your episodes, sickle cell was a mess.
ReplyDeleteThen I remember the last time we saw. We had a fight and we were ignoring ourselves instead of hugging it out like we do.
But I remember thinking, why does he have spots on his body? I was too stubborn to ask what was wrong. The next day, I called your room mate to ask after you so we wouldn't talk, he said you were in the hospital. Your sister came to pick you��. The next morning, you were gone... Went for your burial and cried my eyes out wishing I wasn't too stubborn to have hugged you one last time..... That was in May 2009.
August 2009.... The greatest blow....
I remember the rain; the Facebook post I was reading. Your operation was successful. I had seen you two days before in ICU. I kept praying cz ICU meant ese kan aye ese kan orun (Yoruba). The girls were staying with aunties and dad was with you in the hospital all through. I remember calling my doctor friend that morning. We had sneaked to check on you previous times( he was still a student of another school then). He called to ask after you. Dad said you were fine...
Then I remember my uncle rushing to me, trying to hug me and was crying - his sister is gone.. I kept looking at him and thinking sorry o... Forgetting for a moment that the sister is my Mum...I wasn't expecting you to go... We had plans Mum��
I remember all the others after... And then think One day it would be me.
May Allaah grant me a good end and take me when He is pleased with me.
I had tears in my eyes reading this. I could feel your pain through this post. I pray God continues to strengthen you. Aameen to your dua!
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