The Series Continues…..
On The Anniversary Of The Date You Flew Away
My dearest sister Agie in Heaven, today is the first anniversary of the date that you flew away; the date you answered the call from The Almighty God. And for some time it felt as if I had lost you but I finally came to the realization that I did Not lose you; I know precisely where you are—with your creator, The Almighty God. And for a time it felt as though you did not leave alone, you took me with you.
Even though I have accepted the fact that you are in a much better and safer place, nothing has been same without you. Though your smile is gone forever and we can no longer touch, and I am full of sadness that you are no longer here, your influence still guides me and I still feel you very near. No three days have altered my life as drastically as Sunday, December 8, 2019 (the day I rushed you to the hospital by Ambulance), Friday, December 13, 2019 (when you flew away) and Saturday, January 11, 2020 (when you were lowered down).
Everyone says that time heals everything, but even after a year I still can’t stop my tears. I still find it excruciatingly difficult to move on without you, especially harboring the thought that we never had the opportunity to continue where we left off on our conversation that faithful Sunday, December 8, 2019.
Until your departure to Heaven, I had always lived with the faulty conception that there was a time limit for grief. But, even after a year I still cannot stop going through your pictures and reminiscing on our good times. I treasure all those memories of growing up literally in your arms. I remember the first time we were JUST THE TWO OF US in a home was when you sent a bus fare for me to join you in Yaounde. And, upon my arrival that Friday evening, you had gathered few friends to wait for me and I was served with my favorite meal. Although you had no personal transportation, you took me around town the very next day in a taxi introducing me to your friends. And at the end of one the best two weeks of my life, you again took me to Yaounde Airport and handed me my first flight ticket of my life for me to fly to Douala. I felt then I had arrived. I made sure I narrated the fabulous time I had with you in Yaounde to everyone I came across, and, of course, the plane ride was the icing on the cake. It did not just end there. You brought me into this great nation, The USA and insisted I further my education. You still did not stop. After I attained the level of education good enough for you, you negotiated for a life partner for me knowing I would not have the audacity to reject your choice of a wife for me. I am sure I said this to you before and I know you already know this, but I will say it again; you could not have found a better wife for me than LUCIA. She is my better half. She is indeed my rock, to say the least. You, and yes, ONLY you, my dearest sister Agie, made me the man I am today. And, without a biological child of your own, I had many at times considered you as my mother because of the priority you gave on every of my needs from infancy to adulthood. The Almighty God knows I have tried my best to make you happy, although He did not give us enough time as I would’ve liked.
Nothing has been the same since your sudden and untimely departure. The hard part, I have come to find out, my dear sister, was not losing you to our Almighty Creator, it was and still is, learning how to live without you. I think of you in silence and always speak your name whenever my house phone rings after 9 PM, EST.
Like any other day, today means what it means because of the meaning I give today. Days will pass and turn into years, but I will still always remember you with silent tears. The day The Almighty privileged me to be your brother, you were imprinted on both my heart and brain and those imprints can never truly go away. So, my dear Sister, though you’ve been unseen and unheard for all this time, I still feel and often notice your presence very near. I know I said this earlier but I will say it again. There is something The Almighty God has given us that is more than family; He’s placed a love for you, my DEAR SISTER AGIE, deep down in my heart. So, you see, your memories in my keeping are not those that will fade over time but those that shall remain part of me and which I shall forever keep. God has you in His keeping; I have you in both my heart and brain.
Rest peacefully in Heaven my dearest Sister Agie.
Your brother,
Stephen.