I hate birthdays. Particularly mine. I don’t like weddings much either, save for the traditional wedding fathia of my Muslim brothers and sisters, they understand the importance of brevities and the hollowness that I have come to detest in what passes for other forms of weddings, infuriates me. I believe that you are getting the picture now, I am somewhat antisocial, and I am very happy in my own company.
But you guys have continued to challenge me to be better, and while I would probably have been happiest with a day spent in blissful anonymity, tolerant as usual of the effusive felicitations of my family and friends, and waiting for the day to run its course, so that I might find myself some peace, you made social media a no go zone for me. Wherever I turned, you were celebrating my birthday with me. You found the grace in the midst of our common afflictions to celebrate moi!
Ori mi wu! My head swelled to such extent that ballasts were required to avoid floatation. I was silenced by gratitude to you all for the prayers and kind words. People like my sister Folashade showed me the meaning of love, looking beyond my many failings to send me love and good wishes, Simon the Wise called me for the umpteenth time to wish me a happy birthday, Ade celebrated my birthday harder than emi oni birthday, and what does one say about Theo on his power bike from Surulere?
Just when Theo was getting ready to roll out, who would call from the gate other than Omotayewo? With his arrival evaporated all hopes of a quiet day. Between Taiwo and Theo-Phillips, I remained surrounded by love until almost 11PM, and this is the same me who had botched a planned trip to spend the day with me by my daughter, Kabirat; aka Gucci Mouth, and to think I had escaped the ministrations of you all by staying quiet on social media, only to be ambushed by Taiwo and Theo.
However much I sought to escape from the glow of your loving presence yesterday, the truth is that I failed. Your outpouring of love silenced me, and just as I felt your love and support within the walls of their prison, I felt your love and good wishes in the prison walls of my own grouchiness.
Gratitude drew tears from me when I spoke with you after my unjust incarceration, and that same gratitude, which I have for you, accounts for me penning my first attempt at an essay in a very long time. You guys rock, and I am blessed to be blessed with you.
Fifty eight done, and a minimum of thirty six more to go. I shall be here to write the obituaries of every single person, man or woman, born of a woman, or man, be that naturally birthed or by assisted means, who shall be unfortunate enough to desire my death. I shall fulfill my purposes in God, and when my years are spent, my enemies will not dare to bare their teeth in the public domain.
I pledge my years in service of the common good, and I will endeavor to be less grouchy about birthdays going forward. Be assured of my continuing gratitude for everything that you have done for me, and know that I know, that it is your own support and love, that has built the walls of my defense against the evils that holds down this land.
We shall overcome!
DF
