Pour Mon frere.
What does it feel like to have a brother?
It means you have an almost twin; someone to replicate your face, your smile, and laughter. It means being called artifical twins for the formative years of your life until height begins to separate you. It means you have someone you can bounce ideas off, you can grow together, read together, rant to one another, and even , you know, write a poetry collection together.
It is growing up together, playing football together, getting tortured together, surviving abuse together. It is moving from the village to the city, and discovering world of possibilities while navigating its intricacies.
It is taith, I’ve finished deeeecaatting; it is not eating outside until your brother has tasted it and affirmed that it is edible, not harmful.
It is reading King Solomon Mines, Allan Quartermain, Tales out of school, Eze goes to school, ijapa tiroko , oko yannibo, eegun alaare, and Weep not child.
It is explaning to everyone that you are the calmer , more coordinated version of me.
It is having someone who wins Cowbell competition while you struggle with trigonometry and win provincial scrabble competitions while you spell beautiful without the a and spell because with an a. Life has an interesting way of playing hilarious pranks ehn.
It is going from speaking infront of an inexistent audience to delivering your TEDx speeches together.
It is building, it is progressing, one year at a time.
I have enjoyed watching you involve into a fine young man. From the days of binging Ted Dekker and Francine Rivers to the days of winning Nanowrimo, you haven’t stopped chasing those dreams and I am so proud of you.
I love how your smile is lovely gaze that opens the shutters of Eden (yea, it’s your line but I stole it) and how your laughter is a soothing balm calming raging waters. I love that you are the man of the home, the adventurous chef (Ama Udofa is shaking beside your culinary skills) and that you act like the bridge linking us together.
I love how you see the good in people, how you wear patience like an armour, how you sleep when the world is crashing, and diffuse the most scary scenarios with your absolutely comical jokes. Have you seen how your wit permeates the thickiest clog and your wisdom navigates the trickiest curves? You my brother, are an absolute genius.
I love that you have gone through different phase of life and that the Lord has made you triumphant. I just sounded like you, I know.
From being the fellowship president to winning Quramo’s writers prize, those are monumental feats only a rockstar like you can achieve.
Despite’s life roller-coaster, you stay unhinged. You are absolutely inspiring and I am so proud of you.
I love how you pray for me, send me money, send me encouraging words and be an anchor during the very challenging times.
I love being your brother, it’s a honor, a privilege and a great delight. Thank you very much for being my brother, and for always rooting for me.
Joyeux anniversaire mon fere, je t’aime beaucoup.
May all your dreams come through!
