REALITY IS OVERRATED

In honor of Hannah Imoniana Oghenetejiri

In the most unexpected moments...
Tires squeaks to the left and back. Driver looses control. Something unknown must have happened. Could it be the road or some mechanical faults? Who could tell?

...Faith grew stronger than ever whilst whispers of fear evolved from within.

"Bash! Bash! Bash!"

"Jesus here, Jesus there" — that automatic saving name echoes from depth of uncertainties.
The car plunges through grasses, trees and every plant leaving behind desolation as expected from tragedy. With speed uncontrolled and direction misplaced, the car comes to an halt at the edge of a river. It’s bonnet looking upwards to the sky and bumper rooted in the waters. Pedals could not find feets, safety was on but didn’t do much...

.... Agony ....

Count down begins... 10... Much muscles broken, wrist and ankles twisted, joints shattered by the ramming movement. 9... Head collides with the glass and hard body parts of the vehicle. 8... Unconscious and helpless with no strength to save self. 7... Water gushing through the available openings. 6... Eyes can only see while mind prays for a saviour to come to their rescue. 5... The boot was filled already with water, up next the back seat with unconscious passengers. 4... Silence filled the atmosphere but sounds from the road side could be heard in a distance. 3... The slow movement of the car digging into the river. Thoughts of regrets, prayers and recall of happy moment flashes through their minds. 2... “Is this my end?” she thought. “Really, is this how I leave this dimension?” 1... Still helpless and by now gasping continuously for air as water seemed to flow into their nostrils. 0... The sun’s light fading away, the cool breeze all seized, inner voice now louder, a million thoughts flashing through, all in few seconds.

***SILENCE (the bitter sound)***

If you ever live up enough to behold a reduced melanocyctes activity which causes your keratin to fail, giving you grey and eventually white hairs at old age, if you ever live to see the many seasons in a life time and boast of witnessing your third generation, accept all of it with gladness as a gift you didn’t merit knowing fully well that you could have been enlisted with the many who left reality when their melanin was still popping from a tight, glowing skin and their smiles melting the hearts of family and friends.

So this past few days has been deeply emotional for me which led me to a seldom path of brooding.

What really is reality?

Why do we even rate reality this much? Why give birth to a star in a world that is filled with darkness? Endure the struggles to secure a degree? Move on to serving the motherland, few days to Passing out parade, in the moment of time, comes the unexpected visitor - "Death."

I can’t phantom the pains and agony she probably went through. That slow process of fading away all alone with your thoughts. Her mind could have called a thousand people to be by her side at that moment. Raced along the track of life soo far to all of her regrets, wishes unanswered, ideas unbirthed, ambitions unachieved, goals yet to be conquered... Wishing for nothing but to get out of this dilemma and say only once again "that the Lord kept me."

Every year we celebrate our 'birthday’, wedding anniversaries and all sort of ceremonies, we skip our 'death-day' and pass it over to the next year (extract from a conversation with Tosin Arike) hopefully again to skip. We push forward the dates but draw closer by age. Not of our own, but of God’s grace that we still stand and are alive...

Hannah Oghenetejiri Imoniana was a very close friend who unfortunately was the only soul lost in that accident that took place on the 29th of September, 2019 along Patani road, Delta state, Nigeria. She had just celebrated her 22nd year birthday two days ago (27th September) before the sad event. She was travelling back to celebrate her last days as a Corp member in the NYSC scheme. Her POP (passing out parade) was scheduled for October 3rd, 2019 (exactly 4days ahead). She was a bright humble and yet vibrant young damsel. She loved the Lord with all her heart and gave herself to His work and ministry. Her smiles could light up a room and yes she had planned so much to do after her service years.

It's sad but this is reality. The one I find us overrating.

One day the glams, ambitions, certifications, achievements, beauty, smiles, properties, wealth, name, status, positions, ego would all bow at the mercies of survival...

A wise man (Pastor Femi Enigbokan) once said.

"Love leaves a Legacy"

“How we treat other people, not our wealth and accomplishments, is the most enduring impact we can leave on earth”.

I have come to persuade myself of the blessings I have received from my God to be alive this day.

I resolute to:

• To live my life to the fullest.
• Choose and share happiness while I can.
• Create a “Love-Legacy".
• Be an example to many generations that will read my stories.
• Build an hub of Humanitarians who would be a voice to the voiceless, defend the weak, fight for just cause and so much more.
• Not strive for a name but rather be a template to the young.
• Dream all and get all.

Hannah though has exited this world, she remains in our hearts and memories.
The path of the Just is Blessed

Till we all meet again.

Rest on Queen Hannah Imoniana.