Lessons from the Loss of Two Comrades Named “Friday”
My heart goes to the families of two sporting colleagues and Comrades that we lost in Warri in a spate of one month. Either by coincidence or by divine birthing, both players were named “Friday,” and they are both awaiting final burial rites.
In my reflective moment after returning from the mortuary where Mr. Friday Ehanire was deposited on January 4, 2024, I was steered to talk to my brothers and sisters in sports over a few things that could help our earthly passage. The admonition has nothing to do with my dead sporting colleagues’ lifestyles, character, or persons but is a general word for us, the living.
Late Friday Ifowodo, according to the report, had been indisposed for a while and, therefore, had not been seen in football circles for a long time. I was told he was ill and, thus, had the opportunity to mend fences with both God and the people he met on his earthly journey. He also might have planned for his estate and had the time to understand what the final passage could mean. Besides, he might also have been able to say goodbye to relations and friends at his bedside as he removed the garb of humanity to join others in the spiritual realm.
The case of Late Friday Ehanire seems different because he was enjoying the passion of playing and living football when he suddenly slumped and passed on. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was certified dead. He had no time to plan for his estate, no time to say goodbye, and perhaps not an inkling of what life hereafter has for him.
Given the above scenarios, we, the living, must have drawn some lessons from the two circumstances. As the spiritual would say, homily during burial ceremonies is most often for us, the living. As I look down the earthly aisle and don’t know who will be called to eternity next, maybe some words can reinforce what some of us would be told in churches today. Please note that death could come unannounced. Above all, death is a debt we shall pay someday by dropping the flesh for immortality, but where it will meet us is also uncertain. Therefore, let us live today as if it were the last for us.
Eleven Life Lessons for the Living
- Let Go of Grudges: We are admonished never to hold grudges against people. When people hurt us, the holy scriptures enjoin us from sleeping with such vices in our hearts. This might seem not very easy, but it is achievable.
- Embrace Forgiveness: In every human relationship, there must be conflict. In our different All-Stars or Ex-players clubs, we would hurt each other. But we must learn to forgive quickly because we do not know when the Referee and the owner of our lives will blow the final whistle.
- Celebrate Fellowship: Let us learn to enjoy the camaraderie we share in the love of laughter, smiles, jokes, and treating each other with kindness anytime we are in fellowship in sports.
- Check on One Another: Let us try to check on each other by ourselves or through proxies. Our WhatsApp platforms could be a veritable means of such fellowship.
- Encourage Reconnection: Let us try to woo those distancing themselves from our weekly activities. They may want someone to drag them out of their cocoons or are too shy to join us in our weekly rituals.
- Care for Your Health: Our liver cannot deal with so much alcohol and dietary indiscretions. Our lungs may also not be healthy enough to deal with nicotine intake. Take more responsibility for your health.
- Build Resilience: Nigeria might now be challenging and economically harsh, but we are not alone. Develop coping and calm spirits to overcome and see the new dawn.
- Manage Anger: We should build strategies for anger management. Let us sharpen our self-awareness and self-regulation skills and cultivate empathy in dealing with people.
- Pursue Productivity: No matter how old we are, we must find the strength to seek means of productive ventures in 2025.
- Bet Responsibly: Just like drinking and smoking, doing so responsibly would help keep our sanity. If you must bet, bet responsibly.
- Live Peacefully: Whether you are an esoteric acolyte, voodoo expert, Christian, Muslim, or Atheist, live well with nature and people. Free your mind from hate. Meditate and speak to the God you serve.
As we enter this new week, may the Lord shine His face upon you and grant you divine blessings that surpass all human understanding in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Grace and peace!!!
