Etana…

Good morning people…

Has your friend ever called you up late at night crying? She’s crying and you keep asking what the problem is but she can’t speak through her tears… A million things race through your mind. You’re hoping that it’s her boyfriend and he just dumped her, because that’s the kind of news you can handle. Getting dumped is bad enough for her to weep so bitterly, but it’s not so bad that she can’t get over it in a few months.

But she’s crying too hard, so you know it’s not her boyfriend. Then she finally manages to tell you that her mum just died in a house fire…

That was my weekend people.

My friend is mourning. She’s miles away and I’m feeling very helpless because there is nothing I can do from here. Her mum wasn’t sick, she wasn’t travelling, she was just at home and there was a fire and she died.

I’m calling my friend almost every hour. Most of the time, she doesn’t answer the phone. Secretly, I’m glad that she doesn’t answer… cos I have no idea what to say to her. I keep saying “I’m so sorry” over and over again. I dare not give her the “Jesus talk”. I have nothing against the “Jesus talk”; telling her how God knows best, and God is her strength, and how her mum is in a better place, but I’m sure there are more than enough people around them now giving them the talk.

It’s always easy to give the “God knows best” speech…  Most Nigerians have perfected it and it’s almost an automatic response to anything that happens. You can catch your husband in bed with your daughter’s best friend and people would advise you to “seek the face of God in prayer”. But until God answers, shouldn’t you bitch-slap the little tart so hard that she becomes deaf (in both ears)? So, I’m wondering, till God heals my friend, what can she do to survive each passing day?

Maybe I’m the one who is not mature enough spiritually… Yes, we trust God and we know He knows best. We even accept that He has a reason for everything. Still, with all the shit we go through, sometimes it would be nice to be able to ask Him “Why” and get a response, just so we know…

I’m just tired.

Rest in Perfect Peace Mrs Jaiyeola…