By Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi
Stingy, lazy and unimaginative people always ask
‘What do you give someone who has everything’?
The answer to the question should be
‘Define everything’.
The narrow minded then proceed to list:
Family, Friends, Fortune, Fame, Favour
Then a decision is made
Give them nothing, they have everything
You do not take a bucket of water to the ocean, they say
Show up though and eat their food, drink their drinks, take no gifts but take theirs
They have everything
They need nothing
So, what do I give a big brother, teacher, mentor, loyal friend and now elder?
He owns no skyscrapers, estates, yachts, Islands or limousines
He is not mobbed for selfies at parties
He does not dress in lace, ‘rich man’s wool’ or expensive suits
He is not chased after by area boys because he does not look like a big man
His name is not on the lips of local musicians because he has never sprayed money in his life
No beauties young or old hang on to his arm
Yet he is one of the richest men I know
He is not a one percenter but he is a one hundred percenter where it really counts
A brilliant and visionary mind
A tireless yet truthful tongue
A fearless wielder of the pen
A scathing witness to our many failings and fallings
A creative teller of stories in black, white and grey
A weaver of the human experience in prose, song and dance
A powerful prophet who cares not for honour at home or abroad
A relentless advocate for social justice
A worthy repository of knowledge and History both known and unknown
A large heart with a gentle spirit
A teacher of many teachers
In the thirty odd years that it has been my great fortune to know him
I have grown to appreciate the lessons he teaches even without trying
I am so grateful for all I have learnt
The meaning of true patriotism
The power of a creative mind, unpolluted by discrimination in all its manifestations
The use of talents that continue to serve, bless and empower
The willingness to speak truth to power even when those who need to hear pretend not to listen
The grace to be found in humility
The peace that contentment can bring
The beauty of freedom from expectations and convention
The joy of showing up and being there, even when least expected
The value of a real friend who is there when the sun blazes in the sky and does not leave you to grope alone through the darkest hours
What do I give such a rich man as he climbs the hill for the 70th time?
Words. He loves them. He lives them. He breathes them.
May he share many more of them with us.
