I lost my uncle two weeks ago, and I still can’t get over the fact that he’s gone. He was ‘a nwadiana’ in Oraiffite but hails from Oba in Idemmili LGA of Anambra State. He was a man of great principles, kind-hearted and cared a whole lot for his family- not just his nuclear family, but trust me, the extended one which included cousins, nephews, nieces, inlaws, inlaws - inlaw, yes, he represented. Akpo ya, oza. Once he was called upon for anything, he always came.
He meant so much to me.
I remembered (childhood memories) when he used to come to our house, wearing his green and white sports outfit- Marshall was his trade name. He would jog to 'the round-about' and back which was about 6miles altogether. This was back in the days when people were not so health conscious.
I also remembered when just before Christmas, we would go to his shops at Iweka Road and Fegge in Onitsha. He would instruct his workers to take our measurements and sew Christmas clothes for us. We always felt like grown- ups as which we picked the styles from trendy fashion magazines.
Strangely enough, I had him a lot in mind this year. I was going to buy a calling card and speak with him. Procrastination they say, is the thief of time. I wanted to tell him about life in London. I wanted to tell him how bitterly the cold has been. But I never did. I didn’t even call to say ‘Happy New Year’. I don’t know how I can get over this...
Uncle Enoch was active and fit. That is why his death still shocks me. He was a devoted Christian. He could even wake his guests up at about 5.30 or 6am to join his family for morning prayers in his house at Oba. He was a knight.
Uncle, you were always there. You always called. Even when I was unavailable to take your call, you would leave messages on my voicemail. You would ask after everyone, praying we were all right, hale and hearty.
The Last Time
by Kate Iffy Chukwu
The last time you called
I didn’t know
it was going to be.
If I’d known
I would have told you
how much I appreciated you
how much you were loved
I would have thanked you
for always being there
In my quiet time
I would have told God to keep you
“Protect him Lord,” I would have prayed. “Protect him”
He alone knows why
Your absence is a pain I have to bear
Because I hold you so very dear
Though my heart is heavy
Though my tears is flowing
My memories of you
is sure to linger on
Goodbye great Uncle
Until we meet again
(Grieving death by Kate Iffy Chukwu 2013)
I pray God gives Aunty C., Okwunna, Nnenne, Dozie, Ikenna, Ebele and Nonso the fortitude to bear your loss – a great loss.
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