We laid to rest my friend Tunde last week. He died of cancer recently.
It’s strange; if I’ve seen him more than five times in the last 15 years, it’s a lot, but somehow, I felt compelled to go and say farewell.
Whenever the hearse pulls up at a funeral, and you see the coffin, it brings it all home, which reminds me of the words by Seneca – “Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.”
The church was packed, and the service was excellent.
The tributes by his friends Nikky and Emmanuel were vulnerable and touching, which made me think about what would be said about me when my time comes, as I know that will be me someday. Morbid as it sounds, that will be all of us one day, as that is one thing we cannot escape.
As I listened to the service, I wondered if we could go into the future and see the number of people attending our funeral and hear what’s been said about us; how would we live our lives differently? Would we be and do anything differently?
During Emmanuel’s tribute, he talked about Tunde being a mentor, his kindness, how much he will miss him and his absolute passion for cars. And even though he knew he was dying, his last hurrah was going to be driving the autobahn and going to Monaco.
His passing has left me with the powerful reminder that cancer is indiscriminate, that unwanted guest who never leaves empty-handed without taking a breast, a colon, or the pancreas of a family member or a dear friend, leaving behind pain and sorrow.
It doesn’t care if you’re young, old, black or white; it marches on.
Live now and have no regrets:
✳️ Go for that prostate test or breast checkup
✳️ Pick up the phone, say hi
✳️ Send the text you’ve been meaning to send.
✳️ Write that letter
✳️ Say sorry and make up.
✳️ Say yes instead of no when you’re invited out.
Most of all – go for that last hurrah now!
Tunde, I regret not making the time for us to get together, but for as long as my dash remains, I want it to be that Morton served others well and made the time. And, every time I hear Tupac’s “Picture Me Rolling,” I think of you, as I learned it was one of your favourite tracks.
The service so impacted me that I decided to pop by my daughter’s and check in on my two grandsons on my way home.
In a strange way, knowing your value is having healthy self-esteem loving yourself and the life you live. It’s being of service and making a difference.
What would be your last hurrah before you’re called to the ribbon in the sky?
