Closer to the grave

CLOSER TO THE GRAVE

Ecclesiastes 9:10, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might for in the grave where you’re going there is neither working nor planning  nor knowledge nor wisdom”.

Is it only me that this verse gives goosebumps; do you feel the same?

You saying yes will make me feel better; but I guess I will learn to move on if you choose to say no,

I recently realized that there is no much time left to wander around if you get what I mean; you will be better placed to do what you have to do NOW,

Coincidentally these were the exact words written at the forefront of my childhood friend’s tribute; she went to be with the Lord two weeks ago,

While flipping through the pages, I figured out that God was whispering something to me and I needed to respond; “Lord I don’t want to be with you! Not now please” I shouted out.

I felt all alone in a crowd of mourners and I hated it, but I needed to bid farewell to my dear friend,

With my piercing voice cutting through the cliques of mourners who stood close in undisputable murmurings,

My mind tells me that they possibly were wondering how we got here; and how cruel death can be to deny the deceased relatives’ the pleasure of “eating” her dowry and the joy of grandchildren,

A portrait of her smiley face drawn perfectly on the front cover; her eyes staring straight at me like she was about to say something,

Her silky black hair styled graciously similarly to one of those photo shoots she enjoyed; and I was convinced she would walk in any minute from now to lighten up the mood like she always did which never happened,

https://pixabay.com/en/arlington-national-cemetery-2225762/

“Her time was DONE here; just how flimsy life can be!” I whispered,

You just never know how close you are to the grave until one of those close to you is gone!

But even then, we always feel like death was meant for others but us!

Habitually living like this day will never really come,

And when it finally shows up, because it will; what legacy will you have left behind?

Will you have achieved that dream that was embedded in you?

What impact will you have on your community?

Because once you depart, we won’t remember the tower you built your folks back in the village,

Or the Land Cruiser V8 you surprised your dear wife with during her 30th birthday,

Or even that cosy office with purple velvet finishing where you always sat away from burdens of this world,

Including that prime piece of land you own along Naivasha-Limuru road, 

We won’t remember your flamboyant designer clothes; or the law degree you attained from one of the prestigious Universities of our time,

All the materialistic triumphs won’t be of any value anymore!

“Hey, give way”, I’m rudely interrupted by the funeral MC and wailing neighbours moving hurriedly towards the graveside,

Their send-off flowers beginning to wither from the waves of smiting sun,

I Move aside to pave way for the mourners,

And just like that, another one of my great friends departed!

With unpleasant swift, young men endowed with spades covered up the grave with a fresh pile of soil,

The red dust dismissing the multitude back to their normal lives for yet another call,

With the lifeless body back to dust where we all belong!

I find myself tearing up; tears that I can hardly control; my feet swollen from prolonged hours of standing with misery drawn all over my face; like I too was about to die; but even then life still goes on,

I then pressed myself up the granary corner in sobs not too far from the grave and calmly sat on one of the cornerstones shaken to the core,

Then suddenly one of those kind mamas tapped my back, “It is the way for all of us” she uttered,

And right there it was crystal clear that soon or later I too will be gone and so do you,

Will I have achieved what God intended me to?

I wonder all the time!

Mwende