Bimosu Oyafule....June 6, May 6, July 6....have  always resonated ...year after year.. I  go to bed thinking there is something about tomorrow...then it hits me..as I drift off to sleep..Iyetades birthday...


As I sit here weeping and trying not to let my neighbours hear...lest they fear for themselves that I have Covid-19 ( not sure why the stigma though) ...various voices run through my head...you should be encouraging aunty and cousins Moremi, Peyi and Makin...why should you be crying...I am so sorry that my emotions at this point are  refusing to listen to my brain...my soul refusing to heed my head....


my head and heart aches
I lost my cousin...."cousin" with ijebu inflection as we used to call each other...
Various images  flash through my mind...your face stuck in a book on the stairs on my 10th birthday..you  were  8 going on 9....Queens school, Queens Hall , UI, Ebrohimie road, Scripture Pasture, Ijebu , Abeokuta, 1004, Olisa....


we talked...really talked...you shared deeply, painfully, trusting and now just now I realise that the very steps of making your way towards me  in different places huddled together on a narrow bed in the dark in queens hall UI was a statement of trust and the bond of kinship. I am sorry I can't put it better.




Bimosu Oyafule our company is not complete, ....but I offer comfort to Oreofe, Adeoto, Aunty, Moremi, Peyi, Makin, my mum ( your friend in Ibadan) and all your aunties and cousins and myself ...that we are better people because you were part of our company...


And knowing you are part of that cloud and company of witnesses ...I know you see the love and care of your mum and sisters for Oreofe and Adeoto ....
You see preparations for OTs wedding, you see Mojoyin a lawyer, wife and mother now...and you smile ..that deep smile remembering that you and I witnessed and chaperone  her first kiss...


Cousin...Verity indeed...without a shadow of doubt..you were too pure for this world ....without guile..truth...truth...sun re ooo...


May the balm of Gilead himself soothe and comfort Aunty, Moremi, Peyi and Makin ..


Your egbon


PS....and I am sorry I rocked your pam sandals till they fell apart in Queen school..😍😍