As I arrived at the compound, the solemnity that filled the air was too hard not to notice. The cloud had covered the bright sky, casting a somber mood on the environment. I had come to show my support to a close friend of mine who had just lost his parents in a fatal accident. The pure grief and pain I saw in his eyes as I stared at him, brought me to tears myself. Who knew life could be so unfair? One moment he had parents who were healthy and strong and the next moment he was now an orphan.
As I walked down to the family house, I looked around, observing the surroundings. The compound, which was beautifully structured. Sharp lovely flowers blooming with life scattered all around, many colored butterflies perched on the flowers and birds chirping happily in the sky were in sharp contrast to the mourning and sorrow that filled the air that day.
" Oh John! My condolences," I said while hugging him.
He just held me tightly, unmoving, and I understood he was trying very hard not to let the tears flow.
"It will be alright dear" I said, tapping him on the back.
The service was about to begin. The chairs were already neatly arranged. All the canopies were already mounted. The church in charge of the ceremony had just arrived.
"Let's all have our seats" the pastor said as the service officially commenced.
We all gathered round the gravesite while the pastor preached and ministered about a soul well lived. The atmosphere was heavy with many emotions. I looked to my left to see many familiar faces. I could tell they were some of John's relations. Some of them I've met before, while others I could identify due to the close resemblance they had.
I couldn't help the tears that came as I thought of how good and loving John's parents were to me back then whenever I came to visit him. The warm welcome I always received left me feeling fuzzy. They treated me as if I was their own. It's so unfair how bad things happen to good people.
As the time to say our Goodbyes arrived. Different eulogies of the good deeds Mr and Mrs Chigozie had done poured out from the mouths of many. Their kind and generous acts flowed in the words of the speaker. And as they slowly lowered the casket to the ground, it was like a kick in the guts. A lump formed in my throat, I became very cold at the realization that John's parents had indeed left us to the otherlife. I wasn't dreaming, it was in fact very real.
The gush of emotions that flooded me at that point was almost overwhelming. I couldn't stop the tears from rolling as the casket collided with the earth. The splash of mud and dirt stained the neatly carved wood.
At last, the occasion came to an end. The pastor dismissed us and soon after, people started dispersing gradually. I, on the other hand, lingered about, wanting to say goodbye to my friend before I left. As I sat down in one of the empty chairs waiting for some chance to speak with him, he was heavily preoccupied, greeting and attending to some guests. I took the time to reflect on what I had just witnessed. Seeing the way that casket was put on the ground was a wake-up call to me. How fragile this life can be. In one day, my dear friend lost his parents. I could imagine the kind of pain he was in. My parents were still alive.
Sometimes we don't realize the value of what we have until we lose it. As I stood up, I vowed to myself to never take my parents for granted. To treat them right with all the honor, love and respect they deserve. Because you'll never know when it's their own time to leave this world.
"John" I called out his name, walking towards him.
" Amy! Thank you for coming", he said with sorrow-filled eyes, forcing a smile at me.
"Of course I'll come. Believe it or not, they were my parents too, even though not blood related" I said, taking his hands.
"You know John, its okay not to be okay" I continued staring at him
" It's okay not to smile, it's okay to cry, it's okay to be sad. But always remember I'm there for you through this painful period."
" Whatever you need, I'm only a call away" I said in a final tone.
He looked up at me and hugged me one last time.
" Thank you" he said, and I could sense the genuineness in his voice.