Writing with Juliet Iwelunmor

Even when it’s full of pain, death is always beautiful. Of course the heart grieves and longs for moments now rare. But the closeness it ushers, the magic is offers, of seeing people, hearing from people, are all of what makes death sublime. We are in a phase where death is reconnecting us. In a moment where truest joys are ours, all because death reminded us of our destiny. Death continues to teach us one great lesson. To leave life to the fullest, which is to say, live your best life today. Smile often. Cry too. Charm birds, children too. Enchant minds, eyes too. Love beyond yourself. Live too. Stop and stare at flowers. Stare at lives too. There is a joy that death gives. A wake up call too. We are rediscovering ourselves, relearning paths long forgotten, revisiting roads not fully travelled, remembering pleasures long forgotten.

Death has us telling stories. Of times we bought cake simply because they were sold in church. Cakes that cost more than they were worth. Death has us remembering weddings. Green top, white pants, hair curled, eyes bright. Death is sustaining us, making us turn the page to living, to chapters on how to do so bravely, eloquently too, with melodies that come from heaven. We are living through death. Jackie’s death to be precise. She was as unique as she was brave up until the end. She lived life on her own terms. She showed me kindness in ways I could never repay her. My graduate school years were full of adventures all because her neice Asia became more than a sister to me. I will truly miss you Jackie. Seeing your last moments seared in my mind why living and loving is crucial. In the struggle to make sense of your end, I found myself remembering our beginning and one thing that I will always keep are your eyes. They were bright and full of life, your way. I pray you live again, where ever you are, a life still bright and full of life. Those you leave behind, will surely puff one out just for you. With all our love