My Diary Game: ATTENDED TWO BURIALS BUT DIFFERENT FEELINGS - 8/11/2025

^{Shot from Samsung - Funeral at Mbak Ikot Awa Itam}

A happy new week to my fellow Steemians. I treasure this community very much. The privilege to write, improve and earn is what we must appreciate.

Saturday gave me an unforgettable experience. The tug of war in the mind, which I believed others would have felt the same. Two burials I attended gave a different atmosphere entirely. In the first one, there were tears on earth or under the sun while the latter was a celebration of life.

The burial at Mbak Ikot Awa Itam in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom was sorrowful, the 59 years man left his wife and his only son to mourn. The one at Ikpe Ikot Nkon, was of economic importance to the entire community as the father of the former Commissioner of the state was laid to rest at 87 years. A funeral tagged “A fulfilled life”. The community experienced a mammoth crowd as though it was a political rally. Politicians owned the event, their adherence and supporters of parties with hope. Summing it together, one will say “it was a burial of special interests and attention as politicians wouldn't fail to use every opportunity for campaign during speech delivery.

Departure for the burial	Other Funeral Photos

The man who transited into eternity was our church member. The church had made plans solidly to convey members from Uyo to his home town. At 8:30am we all gathered waiting for our bus which came at about 8:40am. The announcement was that the bus will not be delayed for any reasons, therefore the members who came out late could meet us except those who waited at strategic locations.

The funeral service, conducted by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Uyo Parish, started at 10:20pm after lying in state. It was challenging to hear ourselves in the primary school field due to the absolute disappointments from the band. The professional band hired became unprofessional in operations. As at the time we commenced the service, there were no players, the players and owner of the instruments not found but the band was set top, but soundless. It was at the time of preaching we heard the “sound check…1,2, sound check”. They didn't plan well and left the service struggling to be heard. Until the end of the service it was not even spending money on it.

The Brass Band Lighting the Atmosphere	Choir Leading

I ignored all that distraction and rather raised my pastoral voice during the sermon and we did everything with human energy without the accompaniments. Thank God for the brass band who at some point of singing choruses help to light up the atmosphere for people to dance.

The family, community, friends and church wept for the departure of the man who still had many things to do for his dear wife and son, such a good dad clearly testified in tributes, condolences and his biography. After all the funeral formalities according to the church’s liturgy, we left for the interment, the real teary moment and had time for the family. We finished it all at 12:07pm.

^{Arriving Ikpe Ikot Nkon}

Family	YOWICAN Akwa Ibom State Chapter

SourceThe Funeral Venue	Source

Since our church was also involved in another burial at Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, in Ikpe Ikot Nkon, arrangements were made for a few of us to move there. We got to the venue as at the time of interment. Personally I wasn't supposed to miss the funeral service but I wouldn't abandon the burial of a man in our station because of the police influence. I met my family, relatives and other friends in the community. The burial successfully brought down timber and caliber of women and men, captains of industries, academians, politicians, clerics, traditional rulers and gentlemen of the press to the influence of the deceased in society and the children's class. It was indeed a big burial that will remain memorable in my mind.

Washing Zobo Bottles	Cooked Zobo

Arsenal Match	Dinner

We were late, we had to look for the family members to express our feelings and support at this period of grief with prayers and thoughts we left with them. After a while we drove back to Uyo and I got home about 5:57pm. After giving my wife the gist about the events, I ate and rested. Waking up about 6:40pm, I had to assist her to wash her zobo bottles. She sells them on Sundays after service. Later in the evening, I watched football which was good to see Arsenal drop points and Chelsea on the other hand winning convincely. When it was bed time, I didn't hold back saying goodnight.

1. Life is not about how long but how well we live it and the legacies we will leave behind.
2. Do not prefer your interest to the feelings of others. I would have postponed the first burial for the bigger one, but I stood my ground, as the date of the former came before the latter.
3. If you're hired to render services, don't be a disappointment.

_{Posted using SteemX}