AN OPEN LETTER TO MY BABY!

Hello my love,

It is 14 years now that you have been resting with the Lord.
I had the bleakest Christmas ever in 1992.
I did not know I was going to be able to survive without your laughter and your pranks.
I loved you so much.
Dad and mum adored you.
You were the bond between 4 sisters.
Femi never believed any one else will ever be able to make her laugh again.

I can remember that we always used you as a bait to get any thing from daddy.
Remember, the time i wanted to celebrate my 10 years birthday? I told you to tell daddy because i knew he was never going to tell you NO.

Mummy loved you and always called you her little husband. Aunt Tinuke and Aunt Desola will never miss sending you a Xmas gift. I can not count the number of times daddy takes you shopping in a month. He will then ask you what you want for your sisters after you have finished spending the money in his wallet.

We never hated you for it, we loved you and in fact it was so much.

I remember the way you run through the passage from the living room to daddy's room, how i always ask you why you never walk but run........

I remember that you used to dress up as a girl and was always kneeling down to greet people because you are so used o seeing your sisters do that.

I remember that always wanted to sleep in the girls room cos you didn't want to feel any different.

I remember that you used to chase us all over the house when we refuse to play football with you.

I remember what you said when grandma died:thank God she left before me. Grandma said it to daddy some day that you were going to die soon. I still hate her till today bro. I do.

I remember the last function we went for:Uncle Biodun's wedding. Can you remember that you made all of us laugh so much that day that mummy promised to take us out the next day if we behaved.

Three days after you fell ill, we all thought it was the usual crisis and it will go away. You were not improving, the girls started crying,mummy was trying to be strong. daddy was away on a business trip.

Then the night before you went to rest, daddy came back. He told you to be strong so that you can with the family to Abeokuta for the family Xmas party. You nodded and went to sleep that night.

4am: i heard the two of them driving you to the hospital, you were getting worse. The doctors were on strike but they took you to Ikire to see our uncle who is a medical doctor. He couldn't do much, you needed oxygen and better medical attention.

He gave you injections and told dad and mum to take you back home(Ibadan)maybe he knew you were going to leave us. Later in the afternoon, mummy had t rush you to another hospital. Dr Abatan did his best. He placed you on oxygen and drips, i was in the next room, praying and crying. Begging God to spare your life, i promised HIM i will be a good girl if he spared your life. Biodun, I really begged God.

Dr Abatan later said he was going to call another specialist doctor friend of his in U.C.H to help out. Dad and Mum told me to go home to put the mind of the others at rest and that you will be back in the evening. Till tomorrow, i can't remember how i managed to get home from the hospital.

Mummy said when they drove in to the hospital, they met some of the doctors outside having a chit chat. She carried you of the car and ran to them begging them to save your life as you were already gasping for breath. They told her that they are on strike and cannot help!

She said she was running back to the car with you on her shoulder when you breathed your last. She said she held you tightly for more than 10 minutes before she gave you to daddy so he could you for the last time too.

Abiodun, i was not there to hold you. It still hurt me till date. They did not allow your sisters to see your body. We could not tell you that you will forever remain in our hearts. I wanted to tell you that you hurt me badly cos you promised to walk with me down the aisle on my wedding.

Loads of promises honey, you did not keep them. I love you more than anything in this world. I know that you know that we will never stop talking about you.

Did i tell you that it was difficult lying to Makinwa your best friend. We told him that you were with grandpa in the village but months later when he did not see you in school, his mum had to tell him. He came to the house and we had another full day of crying. Makinwa is now a big boy. He is graduated from Uni and he is still a very good friend of the family. He did not betray your friendship. He stayed true.

I have to stop here my darling, i have soaked my desk with tears.
ABIODUN OLUWASEUN OLALEKAN,omo olofa mojo. Sleep well.

Luv you forever,
Temmy.