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To the man whom death’s wing has touched, what once seemed important is so no longer; and other things become so which once did not seem important or which he did not even know existed. The layers of acquired knowledge peel away from the mind like a cosmetic and reveal, in patches, the naked flesh beneath, the authentic being hidden there.
You proved beyond any reasonable doubt that success can be achieved irrespective of one’s situation or circumstance and from Christ High School Abor, you found your way to Liberia without any help from family or relation. That I will never forget. You further moved to the USA where you rich the pick of your beliefs. You did the best you could according to your time and knowledge to ensure that you remove poverty completely from our family. Of a truth, I am yet to see a generous man like you who keeps self-pride aside when it comes to helping people you take it personal.
Am impressed as your village people Umuavulum did not task or levy you simply because they remembered when you came to recuse them. Today, you are popularly called Ogbu Efi, not because you had a chieftaincy title but because of your generosity and your belief that we should all live together and support each other as one. I can go on and on and on to recount time without number the legacy you kept in this family which is not be followed. You are a man despite all odds.
When I look around, I start to wonder, where did you get it wrong? From your achievements I now know that prosperity truly lays in the hands of Almighty God. You have sat with six world presidents but today it looks as if it is not real. Mr Linus, am proud of you as your son. It is not of he that willeth nor of he that runneth, but it is God that showeth mercy. You have played your part, the rest is for us.
I can never forget the two questions that you brought up in your sick bed. Even in the midst of our chatting, laughing and cracking of jokes, You said, Joey my son, I don’t know why each time I try my best to achieve something great, just at the pick of my success, something from nowhere will come and destroy all my labour. The second thing you said is that after all, you have laboured for in this life, it seems I am just moving in circles. Your questions remind me of the bitter, yet merciful, lesson which death teaches us is to distinguish the gold from the tinsel, the true values from the worthless chaff.
You have tried your best my father, God knows why all that happened, happened that way. My prayer is that as you did not live to enjoy the fruits of your labour, may God’s mercy increase mightily upon our family and may He bring back that which He has ordained for our family. Let the light shine again in this family and may peace and unity once more spring up in our family in Jesus mighty name I pray. Amen.
Rest in peace my father, all will be well in Jesus name. Amen.
Your Son
Joey Zaza