JOYFUL HEART

And because I'll be away for a little long, I said I must create a little lasting memory with Mama Joshua. The feeling of the moment was simply ineffable. I took her by surprise as usual. And then it was stories upon stories:

'Mama, you're looking fresh!' I joked.

'Is it not what you and your friend did to me?' She interjected, clapping her wrinkled hands on the wrapper over her thighs.

'And the house, Mama? It still looks so new? Hope you make use of it at all?'

'Why not? We live in it. You want that one to collapse on top of us?' She laughed, pointing at their loosely hanging old hut. 'I watch over it, so that those small 'devils' won't come chalk-drawing their empty heads on my wall. Children of these days! Ah!'

'Don't worry, Mama. They won't dirty it.'

'What? Ah! They will o! I've caught them many times. But it's me and them. I'm not going anywhere.' She said, and we both laughed. Then she paused as she dragged me round the house, through the back.

'My son look. It's Ukamaka and Jacob.'

'What about them?'

'Ever since we moved into the big house, they've been having diarrhoea like goats that ate ogbu leaves.'

'What happened? They're sick and you didn't tell me?' I asked in a fleet of mild irritation.

'No! I think they're eating too much. I've been wondering. They don't allow the small rooms to rest. Everytime, they're running into the toilet. That's how they've been bathing like crabs too. If I allow them, they'll dirty that room. They'll spoil everything.'

'Oh No! Mama, they won't.' I eased.

'What are you saying?' She turned to stare me on the face. 'In fact, I only allow them use it one time in a day. They make use of the bush for the rest. See, this is the solution.' She waves some key on my face, smiling.

'Chai! Mama!'

'But wait. Do you really mean I won't see you for upto a year or more?'

'Yes, Mama'

'I hope you're not travelling out of Nainjuria?'

'No.' I smiled at the way she calls Nigeria. 'But I'll always call. Hope Jacob hasn't spoilt that phone?'

'Does he want to die? See these hands, I'll use them and strangle him. Don't even bother. He loves life, I'm very sure.' She said, brushing away my fear.

'This your travel. I'll only take it because you're going there to save lives. Thank God you brought me more pictures. And this book, I'm keeping it. It has your pictures too.' She straps my magazine within her armpit. 'But don't worry, my son. Only the good shall come your way.'

'Amen, Maama.'

'Plus this fat envelope you keep bringing. What do I need all this money for?'

'Mama I told you it's not all by me. Those my friends have been so kind.'

'Hmm. God will continue to bless them.'

'Amen!' We both chorused.

'Ukamaka has missed. She went to Orie market. She'll cry when she hears you came.'

'I'll speak with with her on the phone'

'It's okay, my son. She won't die.'

We moved inside and relaxed in one of the sofas.

'Please, how's my husband, Nnamdi Nkanga?...'

'Mama, it's Nnamdi Ikeagu .' I corrected.

'Sorry, Ikeagu. Hope he's fine?'

'He's very fine. He sends his regards.'

'Thank God. Remind him that until water and sand lack in the seas, that until the vulture grows hair on the head, God's blessings will never lack in his life. Good can never be scarce in his family.' She prayed.

'Amen!' I shouted.

'Tell him I said so.'

'Life is gooood!' She hissed and wrapped her arm over my shoulders as our intercourse deepened more into life...

In life, there are things we lose and would never  have back. Sometimes, they're things that mean everything to us; like Joshua and Grace in Mama's case, (both dead of sickle cell disease and breast cancer respectively.) But then one thing comes along and changes our world, and gives us a reason to lead life even happily until we cross over to meet our loved ones on the other side. Friends, especially Nnamdi Ikeagu came into Joshua's family from nowhere and turned their life around. You gave them a new life. Mama now lives so healthy, so strong and so happy. And I am not left in gratitude knowing that Joshua smiles warmly at me from heaven, and that even death cannot hold the saints apart.
This is to say another big 'thank you' to Nnamdi Ikeagu (always) and to all my friends who saw me through this in both prayer and kindness. Let's keep putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged, for there is no worthier cause than it.
May the God of Joshua bless you all. Amen!