Life is short. Life is fleeting. Life is for the living.
You never know that the last time will be the last time. You think that there would be more. You think that you have forever but then life can decide to prove you wrong.
Recently I had a near death experience that had me reevaluating about a lot. This came after I lost one of my close friends Uche last month. I was devastated and in shock at the bright star 'Uche' that would never shine again.
So I'm here to tell you this,
“You think you have time. You don'tâ€
So this is me saying to you, for you,
“TRAVEL TO THE PLACES YOU DREAM ABOUTâ€
“CHASE THE DREAMS YOU CAN'T LET GO OFâ€
“LOVE THAT PERSON THAT DRIVES YOU CRAZYâ€
“MAKE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIESâ€
“SMILE. EXHALEâ€
'ENJOY EVERY MOMENT FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH'.
This is me saying to you, for the people in your life,
“Celebrate and love people when they are alive and not when they are dead. â€
Why do we have to wait until our loved ones are 6ft below the ground to eulogize them?
Is it about the expensive coffin you sponsored or else about the help you rendered them?
When they die, this is the time some of you extol love sermons and unending poetry in their honour. Something you should have done when they were alive.
Did you reach out to them when they were alive?
Did you ask about their well being?
Did you support them when they needed you?
I have told my family and friends that when I die, I don't want pity or else tears. I want be celebrated by the ones who truly loved me.
A while back, a popular Nollywood actor Muna Obiekwe passed on due to Kidney failure. His Friends and colleagues wailed and cried social media knew something happened. Instagram pages filled with condolence messages and tributes everywhere.
Apparently, he had been ill for a while. He had kidney problems and was undergoing Dialysis. A lot of his close friends and colleagues claimed to be ignorant of his medical condition.
Some of them gave the excuse that he lived a secretive life and did not ask anyone for help.
If they really cared, his medical condition wouldn't have been a secret for such a long time.
Let’s analyze this, shall we?
Is there a possibility that he got exhausted on set on some occasions?
Needed to take medications?
Excused himself to catch his breath or else rest a bit?
Did anyone care enough to ask him 'what the hell is going on with you?'
The thing about humans is that we profess love on social media but never actually mean it. We are narcissistic, selfish and self centered. I have come to this realization in recent times.
Love people when they are still alive. Celebrate them. Reach out to them. Spend time with them. Make lifetime memories. You never know when someone will be gone from your warm embrace.
Recently, I made some changes that warmed the heart of people I love. I would call them and tell them how much I love them. I remind them of my love and loyalty. I reach out to at least one close person in my life every day.
For my mummy, i call her every day to tell her I this, her .And when I didn't call, I would text.
Hearing her say the words “i love you too. Bless you Nwa oma†back at me, I felt/feel unstoppable.
I say to myself 'One person in the world genuinely loves me' then a smile would spread across my face.
There is a popular phrase in Igbo to criticize people who neglect their loved ones and then mourn them after their death.
'Owu mgbe Nwanne gi nwuru, gi enyela ya aka?
Translation: “Is it when a loved one is dead, that you would help them?â€
Chukwu okike ekwela kam laa n'iyi.
Ije uwa!
Don’t wait until you hear sad news about me.
Love, celebrate and support me now i am alive.
Send me those flowers and cards with heartwarming messages that you want to.
Take me on that vacation or else road trip.
Let us laugh like children and dance in the rain.
Let us sing and dance to our favourite songs and if we ever get the chance, watch Coldplay, Magik, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Beyonce or else Alicia keys perform at a concert.
Shower me with all the love you have in your heart for me. Let's make memories.
Don't live in Regret.
