THE TABLE
A friend once shared a story of when his uncle died and how - after the service of songs - he, his dad and his (dad's) friends all trooped to 'the bar' for some sort of valedictory.
Reaching the bar, the men took over a table that have always been reserved for them. At first they sat in silence. Lost in deep thought. There was this unspoken rule that 'men don't cry'. Then they began making subtle jokes. Laughed in low tones.
They talked about the table. How it all started many years ago. From that table, over beers and suya, way before wives and kids. Way before jobs took them to different states; from football and political banter, a life-long bond was formed. A family.
From that same table, there emerged many business tycoons, political and academic leaders, footballers, etc.
They passed around old pictures and guffawed loudly at old memories. They teased those that married the wrong women. They teased their political friends and their campaign strategies. They teased their footballer friends and their club decisions. They drank beer and laughed more.
Then finally, they made commitments on a befitting burial for their friend. But more than that. They agreed on who would see the kids through the university. They prayed, had more beers and joked about who's next.
From that table (of beer, suya, fresh fish pepper soup, football and political banter...), a family was wrought. A family beyond blood. A family beyond the bar enclave. Family who's got your back, regardless of how many times you fail, and where life takes you.
Through crazy mistakes, bad marriages, difficulties in life, differing political views, cross-country jobs and moves. Through out life. There was always the Table.
Coming down to our present age, social media have torn us apart. We are so close, yet so far. We are so electronically connected yet emotionally disconnected.
These days we lack genuine human touch. We irritate each other. We prefer cyber-hug to warm and reasurring bear hugs.
In spite of all these, the question today is:
Do you have a table?
Damilola
