A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND - Abisola Olubunmi Osinaike

You are gone, leaving us with despair, a vacuum in our hearts, memories that fill a lifetime, gratitude for your loving and impactful life, and appreciation for your friendship

As family and friends bid you goodbye today, I remember ......

I remember your lovely smile the first time we met at the faculty lecture theater in 1993

I remember the first time you invited me to Scripture Pasture Christian Center (SPCC)

I remember the glow on your face when I jokingly call you "Akowe"

I remember your need for self assurance and desire for perfection

I remember your lovely cursive handwriting ...and the little notes of encouragement you used to write

I remember your faithful devotion and care for friends and classmates ...your soft "are you okay?"

I remember your love for your family, and how you so wanted to make them proud and live up to (and above) their great expectations....I remember your appreciation for their sacrifices

I remember your visits to independence and zik halls....and your funny expressions

I remember how you could literarily lit a room, your zest, your love for others and your willingness to sacrifice

I remember your tenacity and determination

I remember the last time we saw each other in 2002 -- sitting with you at Chocolate Royal VI for almost 4hrs .... I remember your fears, pains and tears (they are all gone down) .... but much more remember your faith, hopes and smile

I remember the few phone calls after 2002...and my feeling of helplessness yet trusting The Lord

I remember your love for the Lord and your hopes in Him...

I remember your smile and laugh ... your hi-five and cheeky jokes

I could barely sleep after getting the news on 24th but I remember ... Akowe, I remember and won't forget

Your struggles and pains are over, your victory has come and you are now in the embrace of our maker

Abisola Akowe ....I remember and am a better person cos I met you ....tears have been shed, heart is heavy but memories of you are great and peaceful, and that is how I choose to remember you

Rest in the bosom of the Lord till we meet again .... Luv ya

--- culled from Abisola Olubunmi Osinaike's Facebook page 

I remember the youth service days that I shared with Bisola Osinaike amongst other Youth Corpers.  One of my most memorable time was the long distant trek,
at some point Bisola caught up with me on the way and she said to me in a coarse voice, "Toyin don't tell me you want to break down, you are being prepared for the future".  I wish you were in the boarding school in your secondary school days, then you will know this is nothing.....Keep going! And up until today those words have a great impact.
Bisola I love you! Rest in peace.
Toyin Akinterinwa. 

One of Bisola's attributes that drew me to her was her "openness"...She would tell you the truth as it was,not necessarily what you wanted to hear...
Back in our UI days, whenever i needed a honest opinion about a matter, she was one of the few people i consulted....
..Always ready and willing to listen to my rantings-the sensible ones and the not so sensible ones...even when she had issues of her own..
One of her many advices that stuck and has helped me thus far is " why don't you just be yourself"...

You are sorely missed,dear friend...