Dear Mum,
I do not know if this letter will survive or not, but I hope it does. I love you. Thank you for being a wonderful mother.
It is strange but I almost didn’t get on this plane. The airport was rowdy and I was shoved out of the queue. There was a gentleman on the queue who motioned for me to get in front of him. I think he saw I was on the queue before or he must have noticed the desperation on my face. I got the very last ticket. I turned to him and apologized. He just smiled and said not to bother, it was OK. Spending another night with his family at home wouldn’t be such a bad idea, and he would catch the early flight out to Lagos the following morning. I should have asked for his name, even if just to be polite. But I thanked him again for his kindness though.
I was scared. Actually I am still scared. The whole plane is in bedlam. That took all of two minutes. For some reason, the screaming has helped me calm down, though my heart is beating fast. Besides, the little girl beside me needs reassurance. Her mother on the other side is completely out of it. After tugging her mother a few times, she turned to me and asked if we are going to die. I told her yes, but that we are going to be with Jesus. She asked why her mother was crying. I said because her dad will not be going with us. She asked why not. I said because the plane is taking us to heaven right now. I asked where her dad was. She said he is waiting for them in Lagos. I said that was good. I do not know if she understands. But she smiled at me, and told her mum not to be sad, that Jesus is waiting for them.
I hope it will be quick. I am sure it will be soon. Because I can feel the plane falling. The noise is deafening. I have said the Lord’s prayer. I can’t think of anything else to say or pray about.
Please apologise to your friend for me. I shouldn’t have shouted at her on the phone. I know she was joking, but I wasn’t in the mood. I know it is not an excuse to be rude. I meant to call her back before we boarded.
Tell Ade and Wale that I love