August 18th 2009

Tuesday  the 18th of August 2009, started like any other day, I woke up, got dressed and was on my way to work when I saw a missed call from my big sister. I called her back and she asked 'Has anyone called you from home' my heart skipped when I heard that, didn't know what to expect but then she said 'Its Kesiena, he's dead'. I screamed when I heard those words and my husband who was driving almost ran into someone. And I began to ask how? what happened? all the questions I could ask but of course I didn't get any replies.

A few days before then, I had received a call from him and in my manner I was jokingly harassing him for not phoning me on my birthday, but then he was trying to calm me down saying his phone had some problems. As we were talking he said he was having some stomach problems and would call me back, little did I know that would be the last time I would speak to him or ever hear his voice again. I can never forget the pains, the hurt I felt when I knew he had gone for real. For weeks I was inconsolable. I had suffered death before but Kesiena's death was soooooo painful. He was in his prime, so full of life, he had dreams, he had plans and visions he wanted to achieve. And of course his beautiful wife Ego and their lovely daughter Kamsi.

You see Kesiena, Stephen as he was called and I are first cousins; I say 'are' because he still lives in my heart. We practically grew up together, spent most Christmases with the rest of our families together. We had such a strong bond. I cant even begin to explain it or write it all down here. He was a brother, a friend a confidant.

Its 2 years exactly today since he went to be with the Lord and just reading through his group page on facebook I see that Stephen lived a good life and affected everyone he came in contact with in a positive manner. Though we do not understand why he was taken at such a tender age but God knows best. Isaiah 57:1 says The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. 

Today as we remember Stephen's life it is a good time for us to reflect on our lives and see if we are on the right track, death is inevitable, so how are we preparing for eternity? what will be said of us? would I make Heaven? At the end of the day everybody's work is going to be tried.

Stephen Kesiena Ossai I miss you so much, forever you'd always be in my heart. You had a heart of gold. You had such an enchanting smile. I thank God for every moment I spent with you. I'd always treasure those times.

I just want to encourage everyone reading this blog today to have eternity at the back of our minds in whatever you do and make your life count.