ONE LAST LAUGH

 

LET THE LAST LAUGH COUNT

I witnessed the death of the husband of one landlady I was staying with. To be frank, the news of the death sent strong chills personally to me as it brought back very strong memories. During the one week celebration as observed by the Ashantis in Ghana, I witnessed something that me write this piece. I saw the widow laugh for the first time since the death of the husband and I thought, could this be the last laugh of the memory of the late husband? In the midst of the people who had gathered to console her, she gave this laughter and smile that sent chills down my body.

I thought; many things indeed we take for granted as human beings. The smile of a dear friend, the moments we spend in school as students, the times we were surprised by a dear friend, the times we were at loggerheads with people and we were adamant to be the ones to reconcile, the times when we didn't want a dear friend to leave but we were so proud to say it, the times we had wronged people but we had decided we were rather right or the time our parents sacrificed their little money to help buy books because we said we needed them even though it was all a lie.

How ungrateful and forgetful sometimes we can be! We allow pride, anger and bitterness to sometimes take away our sources of happiness. Even in the midst of happiness, we tend to forget the people who helped to make those moments come to pass. The question is, when did u last say thank you to your mum or dad? When did you last let a friend know how much you appreciate them even when they have done nothing "worthy" of it? When did you last say thank you to your Creator for the many years of life He has given to you?

If only you believe you deserve all the things God has given you, ignore this question. If you sincerely believe you can repay your parents for all the love, care and affection they have given you your whole life, you can ignore this question too. If you also believe that you could have made it without your friends and that your friends don't deserve you to be their comrade, please ignore too.

Just like the widow who had just lost her husband and was probably expressing a last laugh at the mention of her beloved, soon you will also express your last laugh. Be careful how you treat your friends, family, even your "enemies", and also your Creator because sooner than later, it will be your last laugh. Moments of happiness and sadness are intertwined. One moment you are laughing and the next you are crying.

As you dont know when it will be your last laugh, please, tell your parents thank you and I love you. Let them know how much you appreciate all their efforts. Dont be a thorn in their flesh which they will seek to remove everyday. They might not have taken care of you as other parents did their children but still, do appreciate them. Spend as much time as possible as you can with them because truly, their absence or demise may spurn a last laugh that you cannot regain.

Do well to your friends know how much you appreciate them. Make every moment last so that there will not be any regrets when you or they are far from you. You dont know why anybody is in in your laugh so please beware how you treat them. In the good times, remember those who made the unforgettable memories and in the bad times, remember those who scorned as well as those who lifted you up. Laugh loudest when you are with friends rather than giving an angry and unpleasant look all the time. Let them know when they offend as well as commending them when they do well.

Remember your creator all the time. Laugh when your trials are greatest and smile when your blessings are abundant. Don't forget to thank Him everyday for He is responsible for your being. 

Our last laughs may be unpredictable. Some may be pleasant, others too may not. Make sure your last memories of the person next to you are worth remembering and not worth deleting. Make your life worth it but most of all, please, LET THE LAST LAUGH COUNT