The Shame Of Death!

By Dr jarlat Uche opara

Death Isn’t that a bad guy as many may have projected it. He comes regardless of ones preparedness. To some it removes burdens and makes the weight of their bedridden loved one eliminated . While others mourn its hit and heat, its pains and punch for a long while, most times not recovering from its shock.

However it comes and whatever package it brings, the truth is, it exposes families. For the strong and knitted, they find a way around it, surviving it muds, pebbles and arrows, while others fall under its sword, creating challenges, fermenting dissension and breeding bad blood that though may be hidden but had no channel to ventilate it. In such situation, death comes, opens the lid, flips the cover and allows the stench to ooze out.

It has a way of washing dirty and stinking linens in the open hitherto hidden and managed for a long time.
Many people cry at the demise of their loved ones not because of how dear and loved the deceased was to them, nah! The tears that most times roll down their cheeks is the thought of the sound of shame that is about to befall them. Tears of how their vulnerability, their weakness and their nakedness would be exposed and possibly mocked by some.

To the rich and wealthy, their tears may not be because of their vulnerability and shame that could come by not giving their deceased a befitting burial.

There could equally be fear of the possible can of worms such death could open in their families, breaking ranks, removing hedges and allowing enemies to feast on them like vultures.

Death has brought down dynasties to their knees. Dynasties that were hitherto peaceful, cooperative and productive. Death swept them off their feet and makes them a spectacle to be viewed, shamefully.

Imagine death visiting those who barely eat, struggling to make ends meet, no shelter, no source to raise money for the burial, no land to sell.

The tears of course may be for the deceased one, genuinely. it could most likely be what one could call Akwa ariri ( Cry of shame)

Akwa ariri (Cry of shame)is the worse thing that can happen to one. Especially the ,,”akwa ariri” that was caused by lack of money to bury loved ones.

The irony of the whole thing is the insensitivity of some persons in such situation, demanding extraneous things, expecting to be entertained without mind how the money would be sourced.

To those who are bereaved, support them psychologically by giving them words of consolation; spiritually by lifting them up in prayers and financially by lending a helping hand however small. In burial, no single person shoulders it however stable financially. Coming together to help those grieving out of death of loved ones would be a good gesture, very commendable. Until shame stares one in the face and poverty roars to their hearing over the burial of their loved ones, one may not realised for a brass okobo would help on such situation of wants.

Look around! Who is preparing for a burial among your circle of friends?, among your society? Organizations?. Associations etc however small, be supportive. Such helping hand can reduce tears rolling down cheeks

Let the living learn from the dead, this world is empty. It may glow and shine, it is ephemeral. It may seem enjoyable and pleasurable, but holds no satisfaction, however enterprising, however poor and lacklustre, the end brings all to same level of vanity upon vanity.

Jarlathuche@gmail.com