AfroGist: 14 People Share Their Heartfelt Letters to Heaven
Death is an inevitable part of human existence. But still, it’s one of those things that has the potential to rend one’s heart to pieces, especially when it hits too close to home.
This week’s episode of AfroGist is a bit more sober than previous episodes. Here, we collated some heartfelt letters our contributors wish to send to heaven.
Only if heaven had a post office. But wait, do they?
In any case, here you go!
“I loved you and gave you all of me but you hurt and broke me in the worst possible way and I hate the fact that I can’t hate you for it…cause I still feel something for you…regardless I wish you well”
S (PNS)
Cloud 9
“I wish you didn’t have to go😢… But I definitely can’t wait to see you again!😊😇”
Bebe (F)
Lagos, Nigeria
“Mo. If only you could see me now. Your death still causes changes. It hurts that you aren’t here. It would have been your wedding year.
Mo. If only I could see you now.”
MT (F)
Nigeria
“You left too soon. I know you couldn’t help it too. If you could, if you had any choice in the matter, you wouldn’t have put us in so much pain, It’s only the universe that we’ve got to question now. You were a bright and happy child who had the entire world before you. You knew what you wanted from life even at a tender age, and you had a knack for winning the best prizes. You were not just an ambitious soul, you were the warmest of them all. You were our genius and no one would ever replace you in our hearts. Today, I see all the things I would have given you as you grew and wish things would have been way different. I miss you, your mom misses you too, but it’s my hope that you’re happier where you are.
Xoxo my favorite niece
You remain in our hearts forever.”
Yinyan (F)
Somewhere on earth
“Hi Dad, I want to say a lot of things to you, I don’t even know where to start from. I miss you. God, you have no idea how much I miss you. And I really need you, more so as I’m getting older. I always act as if I’m strong, for mummy, for everyone but sometimes I get really tired of it all. I get worried, I get scared. I know it’s wishful thinking to wish you were here but I just hope that, wherever you are, you look at me and smile. That you are proud. And please appear to me sometimes in the dream, don’t only appear to mummy and my sister. It makes me feel that you don’t love me as much as you do them. I love you Dad.”
Zara (F)
Nigeria
“Dear abby
Everyday I think of you
Everything reminds me of you
Every single memories made
Every moments shared
Still warms my heart and bonds me with you
The dreams we had together
The reality you never got to see
Still breaks my heart and crumbles my spirit
It’s been a year now since you left but it seems like yesterday
The vacuum you left in my heart still can’t be filled
Sometimes I think about our childhood, the plays, the fun, the fight
And how you left with life’s early flight
Still hurts me very much how you left without saying goodbye
I don’t think I can ever stop crying whenever thoughts of you cross my mind
You needed rest and God alone knows the best
Continue to rest till we meet again
I miss you and I won’t forget you”
Sir Godswill (M)
Benin, Nigeria
“I miss you,
I wish we had met that Tuesday,
I wish I came to see you
I miss your laughter, smile, dance and voice…,
Your daughter is so beautiful and she looks exactly like you,
Till we meet again James. Rest on dear friend.”
Bell (F)
Nigeria
“Hey Grandpa
I wonder how things would have turned out if you were here. Perhaps it would have been lovely, the knowledge of your presence filling us with hope that there is a father figure close by. One who would not abandon us.”
Gem (F)
Nigeria
“I will write it to my dad’s father.
Dear Grandpa,
Why did you marry two wives?
You are causing commotion in the family now.”
Jaiyeola Gideon Kolawole (M)
Lagos, Nigeria
“Mom, I really miss you, everyday of my life. There is still a gap that awaits your return to me.
The 13 years I’ve spent without you in my life has never been complete and I don’t really think it will. I really miss your presence, your quiet face, your smile accompanied with your soothing touch. Everyday I step my feet outside and see other moms, my heart itch in pains and I begin to crave voraciously for you. Oh! I wish you stayed longer and you are with me now, perhaps I will feel mentally balanced.
Every part of myself misses you and wants you back, I want to have that motherly love which I had missed and hold you so tightly. You are the best of the best mum, forever will my little memories of ours linger and forever will my love for you keep existing.”
Sami (F)
Nigeria
“Mini,
It is almost a year and it has taken a lot of crying, regretting, moving from pang of pain to another and several panic attacks to get here without you.
When I talk about you, I like to smile then walk out and let my face and my heart do the breaking they want to as I cry and wish you were here.
I hoarded up everything when you left, didn’t allow myself to cry in front of anyone. I wanted to show strength but the panic attacks, the sleepless nights betrayed me and those around saw it. They said talking will help but I have and I still cry like I did when I saw the picture of your lifeless body.
I’ve heard so many stories surrounding your death, people have talked but what I see and hear is your debunking what they said you were that night I asked, and I believe you. I always will.
I dropped you a letter in your DM on your birthday, I called your numbers several times till a man with a harsh voice warned me to stop.
I catch myself rereading our chats and staring at your pictures sometimes. Other times, I’m on your Facebook page looking through your pictures and reading your comments.
I couldn’t look at those places we sat in school without holding my chest in a bid to hold my heart from breaking into smaller bits.
Everyday I live in constant disbelief because I still hear your reverberating voice, I still hear your annoying chuckle and I hear you say “girl, I’m not calling your baby girl”.
I learnt in the worst form how we overlook beautiful moments without realizing they’ll be our lasts.
I miss you here, I wish you were here. I try to always imagine what your take on things will be when I hear or see them. You exist in my heart, even if you stopped existing that night. You’ll forever be in my heart, cause I’ve prayed to always remember your body smell, the sweet taste of your lips, your breath, the sound of your voice and laughter.
I miss you more than all the words in all the things I’ve written for and to you can say.
Your dear Babygirl.
I imagine you’re saying “no, just girl” in heaven.”
Babygirl (F)
Nigeria
“Mummy, please come back, I have plenty gist for you 🥺”
Tiki (F)
Lagos, Nigeria
“Daddy,
I’ve spent a larger part of my life wondering what life would have been with you than actually being with you. I’ve always wondered how you would react to some of my stupid moments and what you would say when I make good decisions.
Because of the highly imaginative mind I have, I imagine the scenes and sometimes, it hurts that I can’t even put a voice to your character in my head. Or a smell, an expression, or…
I’m sorry I couldn’t pray when you asked me on your deathbed. I’m sorry my tongue was tied. Maybe if I did, it wouldn’t have happened. Or maybe a tiny part of me knew it would still have. Maybe that’s why I kept quiet and watched you writhe in pain. I don’t know mehn.
But from what I’ve heard and seen, you were a great man and I promise to do even better by your name. You put me in fabulous hands and I couldn’t have possibly asked for better.
Sometimes, I feel you around me. Sometimes, I imagine you watching over me and laughing at my goofiness. I imagine you loving me and that alone is enough for me.
I love you so so much, Daddy.
Till we meet again,
Your one and only Tbaby. ❤
P.S. Please keep watching over me because these streets odikwa dangerous. And can you help me scare those stupid boys that have been breaking your baby’s heart? Just visit them in the night, daddy and let them know that I have connections everywhere.😭
I love you so much, Mollykodo (by the way, that’s an awful nickname. We’ll discuss that in heaven. 😒🙄)”
Theola Monday (F)
Lagos, Nigeria
“Yo Dad I miss you more as years go by, so much to say but I can’t type…Hi Aisha I just want you to know your baby is in God’s Hands, I know she will do great things in life…”
Cecilia (F)
“Dear Heaven!
It’s been 4yrs without Junior, without setting my eyes on him, without hearing his voice. Absence of him on earth traumatized me. He was my dearest friend, we were so fond of each other, but he was called home too soon. I know he’s in a safer place though, where no hurt/disaster shall befall him again, just like he violently left earth. May you find peace in heaven dearest.”
Francr (F)
Asaba, Nigeria
Which of these letters can you relate to? Which ones made you smile? It’s not too late to drop your own letters. You can do it in the comments section.
Love and Life to you and yours. ❤
♥♥♥
- Stories collected are shared only with the writer’s permission.
- Names may or may not be real to ensure anonymity.
What's Your Reaction?
