Loss and other things

I was scrolling through Instagram on Saturday and saw the death of a good friend, Bode Emmanuel. He’s the only male friend I have ever had. I have friends but as an introvert, I can count on one hand those who made it to the inner circle, he was one of them.

I met him during National Youth Service, he was life of the party and a lovable human, we became close because we were in PET together and were the only ones in our batch to join NCCF drama meaning we were always in every play and role.

Then he had a girlfriend, Bimbo(who later became his wife) but I knew all about her and was fascinated(I had no boyfriend in school and did not know any close boy/girl relationship except my novels), so I was feeding off the tales of their relationship, she arranged his bag when he was coming for Service after Camp(yes, I still remember that detail) their love was my real-life M&B.

He was my only friend in Bayelsa till he re-deployed, when I was sick and broke, my roommate whom I thought was a friend ignored and left me. He was the clueless one(we laughed about that day for a long time) who was slapping my face with water when I was throwing up. I remember his mischievous laughter. 😭

He never stopped talking about Bimbo, (She was Bode’s Bimbo in my head) and we were always talking about plenty things even after we finished our youth service and lived in different locations.

Then we were both married, I remember his wedding to the beautiful Bimbo, it was a colorful affair with the vibrancy and love of the couple shining through. No one else would have been good for Bode, he chose well.

I remember him teasing after the birth of his twins, you think you have won by getting married before me? I am now Baba Ibeji, we are on the same level 😁

To know Bode is to love Bode. I love you Bode, this was not part of the plan, but God is still good despite everything.

I pray for your Bimbo and your 3boys that your death will work for good in their lives. The Holy Spirit will strengthen and grace them to live fully and well. The strength of your memories shall keep them floating in the sea of life.

Rest in peace friend and brother. Share your jokes with Jesus, He will love them.