39 GREEN BOTTLES

I was thinking this morning..... Last week, a close friend turned 20 for the third time and decided to celebrate with friends and some of his secondary school mates. While we gisted, he revealed the motivation behind his celebration. He said, "Last year, my year group in college had gathered for a re-union after about 39 years of leaving college. When we came together, we decided to do a roll call to know where everyone was. By the time we were done, we discovered 39 of our mates had passed on."

While 39 dead in 39 years was an interesting coincidence, the number got me thinking. In the early and mid-1980s, when they were in college, it was common for secondary schools in Southern Nigeria to have an average of 30-40 students per class. That means if all 39 of their departed mates were in the same class and they were having a re-union yearly, by this year, there would've been no one left from that class. In 39 years, a full class of students had passed on. Wow!

As I mused, I recalled the kiddies song we sang while growing up. "Ten green bottles hanging on the wall. Ten green bottles hanging on the wall. And if one green bottle should accidentally fall down. There'll be nine green bottles hanging on the wall." And so it goes until it gets to zero bottle. As my friends continued talking, I couldn't help but hear the variant of that song in my head. "39 bright students sitting in a class" (2×). If one bright student should unfortunately pass on. 38 bright students sitting in a class (2x)." And the countdown continued.

Life is a precious gift that often feels endless when we are young, but time quickly reminds us that it is fleeting. Every year we are alive is a chance to commit to living with purpose. When classmates gather, whether after five, ten, or even thirty-nine years, it should be more than nostalgia—it should be gratitude for the gift of still being among the living. Because na footballer wey ball dey im leg camera dey follow.

Many shy away from college re-unions because they feel their success will be guaged. Instead of measuring success by wealth or titles, we must measure it by the joy of being present, of laughing together, of creating new memories. To still be alive, breathing, and connecting is worth more than gold (Psalms 19:10).

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey