Thus far……………

I am struggling with the loss of my sister; September was especially hard because that was the month I lost her. I still feel some type of way when I hear people talk about their sisters and their relationships with them, but like I told my mum, “This is the card I have been dealt.”

I decided to do a recap on what I have done without my sister by writing this letter:

Dearest Sissie,

Time goes by so fast without you; just like that, we have spent 2 years without you, and a lot has happened. Here is a brief recap:

• Ibukun came home and is doing fantastic- You should be proud
• Mummy misses you every day- She tries not to cry when talking about you.
• Kunnumi misses you every day but tries not to show her emotions- the girl is strong just like you taught her.
• Bimisola is now a big girl, speaking Yoruba.
• JollyPop started School- You should have seen her
• Simbi had another baby girl and named her after you- (Aanuoluwapo, to be exact)
• Simbi, Tinuke and Kenny have been amazing to mummy- they have been true friends
• Banke now has a son
• Funso also had a girl
• Kenny had a girl too
• Emeka is hanging with you
• I had that baby I told you I was pregnant with 2 days after your birthday
• I went on that Belize trip we talked about
• I made it to California and did that “Pretty Woman” walk down Rodeo Dr we talked about.
• I am almost done with School- I have nearly given up several times, but your words revive my drive.
• I quit Metro Day- I took that leap of Faith you told me to take, and I was given that Salary, you always told me to ask for.
• I had a birthday party for Mofe, and you would have been proud

It has been a long two years. So many other things have happened that I cannot remember, and I wish you were there every single time; I still cry and get moody and angry because I miss you deeply. One thing that has certainly not changed is my lack of friends, I am still bad at answering the phone and calling people back.

In acknowledging grieving, life persists; individuals progress, yet in moments of grief, time can feel suspended, with surroundings moving in slow motion. Despite this, we mustn’t remain stagnant. We must navigate through life actively, ensuring that we engage with it, even as we navigate the complexities of grief regardless of the type of Grieve, because at the end of the day we cannot forget that we are GRIEVING AND LIVING.