A COMPILATION FOR TOBE
A Tribute to Tobe
JASMINE
"Death brings a heartache no one can heal..." except God though.
The death of a loved one is something so deep and painful. The fear of not seeing your loved one again, hear them talk again and laugh or fight with you again. It’s a reality that is so hard to accept. I have experienced this pain before; that was years ago. Someone said with time the pain would go away but NO it doesn’t go away, I only got used to the pain.
These past few days of last week that same pain I felt years ago came back again, that kind of pain that makes your heart heavy and makes it hard to breath.
Olehi's death was the most shocking news I heard this year. I never expected it. That fateful morning I prayed for my family and friends to see the next year. In few hours time I got the news that Olehi was gone; my Tobey.
I had only known him for 2 years but the pain I felt was piercing; I don't believe there are words, in any language that ever do deep grieving justice. I cried so hard. I screamed out begging God to let the news be a rumor. I just couldn’t accept not to see my Tobey forever. Sleep was far from me because all I saw was Tobey, hugging him so tight in my dreams and waking up to realize it was not real.
He was my dear friend, one of my favorite persons, not just a senior colleague. He was special and that’s no lie. I got excited anytime I get to see him or even speak to him on phone. Tobey was someone you get to love at an instant. The first time I met him I was fascinated by him. He was energetic, hilarious, welcoming and was outright fun.
Olehi was generous, caring, talented and hardworking; I mean almost every time I saw him he was always going for one meeting or the other.
My best memories were those times we all sat together, with our mutual friends and just talk, laugh and argue for nothing.
We shared hugs for no reason. He never missed the opportunity to tell me I looked good, most especially when I worw a dress. He was my hype man.
I have a lot of regrets, not reaching out to him more after we left school for the break. I had an opportunity to see Tobey the last time he came to Abuja. He called telling me he would be expecting me, and I could hear the excitement in his voice. Sadly, I couldn’t make it and by the time I got to the hotel, he was gone; well gone for good. He promised to come back but…
Another regret was not joining the Rotract club when he was still alive, he always bugged me about it, but I just kept running away. He was even willing to get me a form with his money. My Olehi was that nice.
He preached service to humanity to me and I will make sure to uphold it.
A lot of memories to share but I will leave it here for now.
His death taught me to make the most of every opportunity. To always live every moment to the fullest.
I want to live like Olehi; an inspired, spiritual and happy life. He will always live in my heart because in there he is still alive.
ROSE LAMBERT
Tobe
Tell us
What does it look like in Heaven?
Is it beautiful?
Is it filled with Angels?
Have you started singing "Hallelujah"?
Tobe
Tell us
You are resting right?
No more pains and sorrows
No more worries
Just peace in the bosom of the Lord
Tobe
We may refer to you now in the past
But you are always present
Though not physically with us
But eternally in a much better place
Forever in our hearts
We love you