That time when you really calm down, when your lying in bed at night and staring at the ceiling and your mind starts talking to you deep questions? Yeah, that is where this is getting at. How will I be remembered?
Not just a fancy question that would be told by the motivational speakers or rather not just the best accomplishments or anything glamorous but the little things, the imprint I leave in the hearts of people and the footprints of my time on this earth. It is something that really sticks in me. And this is me being sincere.
I would like to be remembered as the one who loved passionately, not just talked about it, but acted it. The kind of love that always showed up. That kind of aunty who sends cute morning voice notes to her nephews and nieces.
The friend who remembers your favourite snack and brings it to your doorstep when you’re stressed and depressed. The sister who genuinely prays for you even when you don’t ask for it
In Nigeria we don’t just say love is “I love you”, it’s “Eat abi”, It’s “Dress properly harmattan sef is serious o!”, It’s “I’m outside your gate, come and open the door let’s gist.” That’s the kind of love I want to leave behind.
With social media, it can appear that everyone is living a perfect life but abeg, life is messy! I want to be mentioned as a girl who kept it 100. The one who will tell when she was hurting, who sheds tears when she needed too, laugh too at gatherings, and who wasn’t afraid to admit that she did not understand, but was trying.
No filter, no pretence : simply me. The girl that wore scarf on point some days, and the other days appeared with her hair in a messy bun just because Life happened.
I want people to remember me as one who gave people the feeling that they are able to breathe again. The person who stole a joke at the most opportune moment, who provided the best hugs, who made you feel like, in case she believed in me, then I perhaps will be able to believe in me as well.
I don’t have my whole life figured out (who does?), but I want to be remembered as someone who tried. Tried to be better. Tried to forgive. Tried to chase dreams even when fear whispered "You can’t. Tried to make a difference, no matter how small.
Perhaps it is only the manner in which I had dealt with the so-called invisible ones, those gateman, the market woman, and the bus conductor. I want my trying to count for something.
I am a Jesus girl and I would like to be remembered as one who lived grateful. The one who worshiped and praised even in challenging and tough times, who still kept trusting God even when she did not understand His plan, and who would tell others that "You’re not alone, God has gat you."
I don’t need a grand legacy. As long as someone that knows me remembers and has a smile on their face that I helped make their life, even a little bit brighter, then that is all I need.
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