Dear Me: Tribute to a Jacksonite 💙🖤

- November 14, 2023

Mara gave a sigh and sat on the wooden chair. Another exam written. How was the exam?

"On God."

With a groan, she picked up her phone. She didn't think of posting "5/10" or a screaming emoji to show how terrible her exam had been. Her soul was troubled over something more pressing.

Sadly, she stared out the window. The Monday was dull and rainy. It was as if the Earth knew that it had lost another saint.

"Oluchi," she muttered. She had never known her in person but something about her death struck her. Something... Was it the fickleness of life? The vanity of our struggles? The uselessness of our purpose?

"OLUCHI."

She wrote the name boldly and tried to imagine how the peaceful person in the picture would have been if she were alive. The poor girl was even clothed in black as if to mourn her early departure. Hearing the nature of her death, Mara believed she had more reasons to rejoice. At least, it was an end to her sufferings. She wasn't to be pitied. It was they who still roamed the Earth and suffered the affliction and trying times of the country.

These were sad times indeed. It had happened so fast too. Mara could visibly remember herself laughing and celebrating the beginning of a new session with Theodora, Leo and Mfon. If she could go back and speak to herself, she had a mouthful of words that would straighten that smile.

As her thoughts raced, she began to write;

"Dear me,

You've come a long way since I last wrote. You're not only rocking your 2nd year pride, you're also looking good doing it (cargo pants look good on you by the way). I'm happy for you, almost to the point of jealousy. That statement alone can tell you that things are about to get ugly.

You'll see some results. Congratulations, you did well. Don't hurt yourself with your expectations. Yes, you'll think you could have done better. Just don't forget to appreciate yourself for the littlest grade. It's something you're not too happy about but something someone else wishes to have. Las las, that meme about freshers eventually being grateful for a grade as low as E was more than a meme. It was gospel truth!

Let me give you a little peek into the future. You don't have time. Gone are the days of writing departmental exams for 2 months. It's an exam crash course. So get off your bed, pick up your notebooks and read! 😫

Stop looking for who to chat with on Whatsapp. Ignore Luca when he jokes about marrying you. Stop laughing with Theodora who's 'jacking' behind your back. The exam timetable is not a prank. So please, for your GP's sake, pick up that textbook that's been lying in your drawer.

Christmas is in the air already. No, no harmattan yet. It's still raining in November. Try to buy an umbrella. Your new hostel is far from your department and you'll get soaked on your way to class on a certain Wednesday 😒 The worst part; you'll be wearing your precious Gucci shoes 😭

GS classes are terrible this semester. Still, try and attend. Forget that early theory of skipping classes. It won't work. As I am, I don't know what to anticipate when December 1 arrives 🥺

Dear darling, it's been barely 2 months of studies and yet exams are here again. You still smell of CDEL. Your fingers are still cold from the touch of the laptop in the library. Yet, here they are again. Don't mumble. Just accept your fate. Look on the bright side; you'll be a graduate by next year 😂

That reminds me. One day Uncle John is going to ask you if all is well at school. Quit being a understanding niece and complain like there's no tomorrow. Ignore me at your own risk. You'll be the one to cough out the 3k your class rep will ask you to pay soon 😒

Sorry I sound harsh, dear 😔 Today was a black Monday. A finalist in the department passed away. Sad, right?

You'll find the news terrifying even though you never knew her. You'll hear people speak about her and write captions on their status; a lovely angel, a peaceful soul, a kind dear.

You'll learn about her death right before your exam. You'll talk about it with your friends. You'll wish her a peaceful repose and do all your duties (the ejaculations, the frowns, the sniffles)

These won't bring her back, you know. You'll think of that and try to go about your day. Today won't be different though. You'll rush in with your course mates for your exam. You'll hear students laugh and complain about the semester. You'll listen to your roommates quarrel and make peace. Then you'll ask yourself, didn't someone just die?

It's the sad truth of reality. Every day, every hour, every minute of you living and struggling in the den. Every amount paid. Every lecture attended. Every attendance signed. Every assignment submitted. Every exam written! All of them melt to vanity, escape into a vacuum of non-existence. All your struggles dissipate to nothingness.

God is our strength 🙏 but you have a duty to yourself as well. Take care of yourself. Believe in yourself. Love yourself. Don't let your burdens weigh on you so much that life loses its meaning. There is life beyond the den. There's a family that loves you. There are friends that care.

I'm not discouraging you. Times are hard and situations lamentable but you mustn't give up. You must struggle on. It's all useless in the end but it's life. You only got one shot at this so do your best. Have fun too. Don't forget God. He's the only one that can make sense of all this senselessness.

Mara, tomorrow is uncertain. Be kind. Be good. Care for people. Forgive their flaws. That one smile could be the difference between life and death. That compliment could be the last one a person will ever get. That gift might be the final gift. The parting gift. The end.

Wish you best of luck as you journey to meet me. God bless you and remember that you are loved. Always.

Yours in struggle,

You 🖤