In life, the threads of existence are woven with both joy and sorrow, love and loss. It is a journey that takes us through the vibrant spectrum of human emotions. In the following words, we explore the essence of life, the pain of parting, and the elusive concept of the afterlife, all through the lens of heartfelt prose and poetry.
Shilton Dinda’s departure from this world happened just the other night. Let’s pause for a moment of silence. But before I proceed, let me leave these words for you, my brother. I hope you can access and read them in the afterlife. It takes hope to believe that the departed can still see, hear, and read, even if they can’t talk.
To Shilton,
A noble soul now finds peace, at rest,
Claimed by life’s harsh and unyielding test,
In the quiet of mortality, talent’s flame subsides,
I’m speechless, my sorrow I can’t hide.Asego Yenga mourns a profound loss,
In this grief’s depths, we’re firmly tossed,
The pain runs deep, a wound that won’t mend,
I search for words, but sorrow won’t end.Rest peacefully, Wuod Miranga, embraced by slumber’s grace,
@doddyokelo
Your spirit soars in a better place,
Though we weep and our hearts are heavy with dread,
Your memory lives on in our souls, forever widespread.
Is there an afterlife? As a child, I heard that after death, we go to heaven, a place of eternal peace, filled with milk and honey. I hope those stories weren’t mere myths. I hope they’re true because, firstly, I want to meet God face to face and ask Him many questions. Secondly, I long to reunite with family, friends, and loved ones who left this world prematurely to join the living in heaven. I want them to welcome me with joy, guide me around, and make me feel at home. I don’t want to be a stranger in heaven.
Growing up, I didn’t fully grasp the concept of death. I believed it was an eternal slumber for those who endured intense pain, given that sickness and accidents caused it. My dad’s passing in 2002 when I was just four years old desensitized me for a while. I thought it was as natural as the sun rising and setting. I believed it only targeted adults who had lived a bit. But when my playmate and dear friend, Abubakar Sidik (Abu), left us in 2005, the pain hit me deep. It felt like someone was melting hot plastic on my tender heart. I wept, knowing we’d never meet again. However, my mom consoled me, assuring me that Abu was in a better place, and we’d meet in the afterlife. My only concern was whether he’d remember me and where I’d find him in the corners of heaven. The concept of the afterlife gave me hope.
Life went on, and people continued to leave our world, stolen away by death. The grim reality began to sink in, and I started to worry. Who would be taken next? I fear death, and who wouldn’t?
Skipping ahead, our hearts, or at least mine, continue to suffer at the hands of death. I keep questioning and trying to solve the puzzle, the enigma of death. If God loves us, why would He allow our lives to be so short? And if heaven is a better place free from suffering, why are we here on Earth if He loves us? I haven’t found the answers yet, just as I’ve never considered death to be normal.
We’ve lost many people, some in unimaginable ways, like Cynthia, Olela, Hillary, and Phill, who were here one moment and gone the next. It’s very traumatic. By the way, Phill was one of my best friends; he passed away in 2017, and his memory still lingers in my mind. I haven’t fully come to terms with it, even six years later. It’s still haunting and saddening. Death is painful, and every time a soldier falls, it’s like a piece of me breaks. It’s a long-lasting heartache.
To cut a long story short, good souls have found rest, never to return, yet I still don’t comprehend why or how. The puzzle is as perplexing as rocket science, remaining unsolved. It leaves us with nothing but pain. In these moments of reflection, we’re reminded of the fragility of life, the profound impact of loss, and the enduring questions that linger about the afterlife. Perhaps these musings offer solace and understanding, or maybe they are but stepping stones on a path to deeper comprehension. Regardless, to those fallen soldiers, we will always miss you. I wanted to mention each of you by name, but the list is long. The thought of you still brings tears to my eyes, and my heart still aches. It feels unfair, but they say it’s life, and God has a reason. Keep resting in peace, my people
@okelododdychitchats.
okelododdychitchats 