*Orun Makanju

Peeps mi,

How are you all?

Abeg Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

If you are reading this post, you sure have breath, why don't you praise God. There will be such a time when the breath will be no more, now that you still have it praise him.

Yesterday - I heard that a good friend of mine passed on. One with whom we worked in hand in hand, one who touched me and helped me in the path of this pilgrimage . He went to be with the Lord sometime last year but I knew not of it. You see I had not seen him for over a decade but believed that one day our paths will yet cross and we will exchange notes.

I will never forget the day I made Orifi cry, he was the first man I will see cry openly because of me (except my dad), he apologised even though I was in the wrong. I teared up inside but put up my stubborn front - he had shown me Humility. I will never forget how he persuaded me to change one habit, where others had faltered he spoke only two sentences, it was like a hammer that broke any questions or resistance of mine - he had demonstrate the power of the WORD. That day he gained my full respect, this was leadership like I never knew.

A kind hearted man, his stature physically was not intimidating but he was strong warrior, Orifi knew his God and he did exploits.

'Orifi ti lo o' (Orifi has gone).
I know our paths will meet again to part no more at the feet of our LORD.

Last week - I visited my neighbour who lost her husband who was well advanced in years yet no less painful for his widow. She let her tears flow freely, a partnership spanning more than 40years now severed.

Monday - I heard of the death of a former colleague, more of an acquitance than a friend, he was just a year my senior but in a neighbouring school. He was a young man whom I am sure had ambition.

Today - Veteran Ibadan politician died aged 81. When it comes to the grandfather of politics in Ibadan, it was Adedibu kan Ibadan kan (one Adedibu, one Ibadan) his influence extends beyond the borders of Ibadan going all the way to Aso Rock. I am sure Ibadan is in uproar, molete will be a no go area, *Erin wo gbogbo ile ni lati mi titi* (*An elephant has fallen, the ground must groan*). The face of Oyo state politics will never be the same.



"Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it" (Eccl 12: 5-7 - NIV).


*Orun Makanju - A popular saying among the yorubas in time of death is 'orun makanju, gbogbo wa la nbo' literal meaning 'heavens don't be in a hurry, we are all coming.


SHALOM

60 comments:

flawsandall said...

first let me read

flawsandall said...

oh wow..so many people dying
i pray for strength and comfort for their loved ones and friends

darkelcee said...

Sorry about Orifi

Even Wahab Folawiyo died last week friday. its just every where.

My dear its only reminding of something......We should live everyday as if its our last. and the most important question,where do i want to spend my eternity?

Olorun a ran wa lowo!

Straight from the heart said...

The pain of loosing a love one is indescribable. I too just lost a friend, and it was hard to take, but I believe he's gone on to a better place.

princesa said...

Awwww...so many deaths!
May their soul RIP.

Not sure if am sad about Adedibu's death sha.

The man too worry sef.

Thirty + said...

@Zephi, one never realises until you start hearing, Amen

@Darkelcee, Amin o Jesu

@Debbie, it is a hard thing to take. 10ks for stopping by

@Princessa, Let's just say I am not sad about Adedibu's death at all.

Anonymous said...

i am so sorrry!

Unknown said...

May we have the grace to appreciate our lives while we're still here. May the departed rest in peace.

Uzo said...

Death of people close to you can be a cold reminder about one's mortality...

Chari said...

chai was hoping to be first o...anyways....

wow...death where is thy sting?


hmmn..Aiye to to aka mara...

Allied said...

Your post is so sad... and i came here today to be uplifted...

*allied exits with her heard bowed*

bumight said...

my condolences on ur loss...but I'm not sure u want to put Adedibu on the same list (that's if u're not related to him sha)

Femi Adeyemi said...

sad sad post..for some reason i try not to think of death or pine too much after i lose someone..its too much a reminder of ones existence..

and i prefer to remember and celebrate the lives they lived instead and pray to God for a repose for their souls and a fulfilled life for us still fortunate to inhale God's air..

just dropped by quickly, would brb..thanks for stopping by..

have a good wkend..take good care

Bubblegum Thug said...

Sorry about the death. May God give the grace to his family to handle the situations accordingly.
Have a good wkend. Take care.

lamikayty said...

True talk my sista! thats y we are called Mortal men..May we all remember this daily! let me rephrase: May i never forget this fact!

AJIKE said...

hmmm God knows best....it is well my dear!
pele

tobenna said...

Ok, so what's with this and death?
A Death Post?
We all pass throught this at some point when people we know pass on. Hopefully, they go to a better place.
Cheer up dear...

Rebirth said...

sorry about your loss dear.....

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear this, just got off the phone with my friend and he too lost a close friend this morning. He just came for a check up and leaves a wife and 3 kids behind! We can never understand death but like you said we who still have breath should praise the Lord. Be comforted by the One who truly understands how you feel.
'O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?'
Today we cry tears of separation
Tomorrow our tears shall be of reunion
For we know that death shall be swallowed up in victory
On that day

It is well with you 30+

Lighty 'neferet' Kopearl said...

too many people dying but we thank God.

my friend told me this morning that his uncle died in his sleep overnight. wot a way to start my day and reading this again. but like i said; we thank God.

preparing 4 canada r we??? looking 4ward?

UndaCovaSista said...

Sorry for your loss, my sister...

Thirty + said...

@All, thanks

@Lighty - you bet I am counting down

O'Dee said...

Sorry 4 ur loss deariee.

D heavens should indeed nt b in a hurry, 4 we r all coming.

Ekoakete said...

Sorry to hear about your loss. Seems to be a spate of losses recently. I personally know of 3 in the last couple of week. Certainly Orun makanju!

? said...

gbogbo wa lanbo...thanks for this. I learnt some new stuff. Be glad, however, that your friend finally is free of all the evil going around. We will all be free of it all someday. God bless.

aloted said...

so sorry for ur loss..o ga o..this earth is not our home...o ga!

Anonymous said...

sorry for your loss. we lose one, heaven gains one...sigh

hope u feel better now.

thanks for stopping by mine

Smaragd said...

"We shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord..." AMEN.

how is ur flatmate? i just read ur last post, it's hilarious esp the headline. is he gay? i ask because it's usually the way out when getting an "other" sex flatmate.

Anonymous said...

The elders sure know what they're saying when they say "Ile nje yan"

A ni ba ojo olojo lo o
May the lord continue to watch over us

Thirty + said...

@All, this world is not our home jare, thanks for all your message.

@Pseudo, exactly he's in a better place. I am not sad at all just reflective on my own

@Smaragard, nope he is not gay.

Parakeet said...

Aww...how sad. Pele. I pray all their souls rest in peace. Death indeed is a cruel thig. And I like that last verse, never seen it before. Well done for remembering all these people.

O'Dee said...

30+ how now?
Do u stay in erith?

Naapali said...

Sincere condolences on your loss.

Flourishing Florida said...

'to him that is joined to the living, there is hope' - somewhere in eccle or prov. have forgotten which. but i love 2 remind myself dis wen am n distress. condolences @ ur loss

Sherri said...

beauty from ashes....
how are u?
have a awe filled week luv!

Eyin'ju Oluwa said...

...may their souls RIP.

Anonymous said...

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anonymous gal(retired blogger) said...

looks like u had a bad week. pele dear. come 4 a hug...

NaijaBabe said...

Sorry about Orifi o.
I went to our mosque on sunday too and heard all about all these deaths...Folawiyo, Jakande and the lot and everyone was exclaiming. The next thing the Imam said was that people die everyday, but its only those that are concerned tha know. I guess the reason we know of these deaths is because they were famous...what happens to the ones we dont know.

May your friend's soul rest in peace o!

NikkiSab said...

Sorry 30+. May his soul rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

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Rinsola said...

Can a sister please update? (just kidding, not i'mn ot). Send me your address ( rinsola@gmail.com) Got copies of some songs for you, lemme spoil you small.

Anonymous said...

My condolences about your friend. Hang tough.

Sasuke said...

cutie accept my condolences for orifi's death. he must really have meant alot to you.

about Adedibu's death me i no sure say i send that one.

i guess in everything we just have to give thanks to God who is the author and finisher. may his counsel for our lives stand.

how you dey?

rethots said...

"... only two sentences, it was like a hammer that broke... struck me so much in this post.
Why? 'cos eventually, we don't need forceful words (or arms) to make the great changes (in whatever aspect of life) we all desire.

But, more importantly, how so beautiful to have such memories of 'em we love. It tells me.....they die not 'cos the (good) memory lives on.

My warm sympathy to you on Orifi

Afrobabe said...

It is well my sister...God will give you the strenght you need....

K.C. said...

On a completely different continent than you, but feeling and thinking of you so much in this moment. Please know that and know that you did make a difference in this man's life. Kayce

Obinwanne said...

death is a very sad thing i never wish even my enemy....im back to blogsville again so feel free to check me out anytime..

Zoe Believer said...

Egbon mi...just showing some love and saying IT IS WELL. Remain blessed

Atutupoyoyo said...

So sad to lose a loved one. Even as I wish to never experience that pain again, I dread its next coming with an eerie certainty. We Thank God for life.

C'est La Vie said...

It is well!!!

ablackjamesbond said...

My mortality stares me in the face. Lost a colleague last friday as well. Consoled in the fact that i know she lives on.

In life she reigned...in death she stands well well.

Sorry about ur friend.

Tolantino said...

Hmm.. very deep post. Please try not to think about death too much. Its a very depressing thought heightened by the fact that we never know when its out time to go. Best is to live our life the best we can and walk a good path so that our legacy will be one that will be well rememeberd by all.. just like your friend Orifi..

Sorry about your friend.

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

Sorry about your loss. Orifi is in a much better place. God have mercy and give strength to those who are missing a loved one. Take care, my sista.



NIGERIAN CURIOSITY
IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER WHEN I ONLY HAD ONE...

Afrobabe said...

Hope you are good...no update??

Anonymous said...

ejo e update o

Jennifer A. said...

Who can know when death is luring at the door? Only God...He gives the breath of life, and only Him has the power to allow death.

May ur friend and all those who have passed away rest in peace.

"30+, live every single day with Purpose...let the plans that God made for you, even before the foundations of the earth be manifested...let God have His way in you." May we all live blessed lives, filled with purpose. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Parakeet said...

You sef never update, no be only me...hope you okay though.

Aijay said...

Awww... sorry for ur loss. This death thing... *sigh*

May their souls RIP, May God comfort u and their lovd ones.

Updated...

Babz said...

sorry abt ur friend.
U hv a way wt words I must comment.