FUNMI ODUSOLU—?FAREWELL BUT NOT GOODBYE

[Michael Vickers]

FUNMI ODUSOLU—FAREWELL BUT NOT GOODBYE

When first I was told that my heart friend Funmi, the soul that had become my better half, had passed, I couldn't believe it. There had been no disturbance within. It couldn't be true. I would have known. 

But then I was talking about that spirit that spoke directly to the Truths, the fundamental Beliefs we shared; I was speaking of my better half that had the moral courage and articulate force I did not. This was the root Funmi. It was the base from which we had met and developed that vital friendship all those years ago, without once ever meeting. 

Then I thought again. And what came forcefully to mind was the Earthly World Funmi occupied of which I was NOT part. This was the world of Sagamu/ Yoruba/ Nigeria folk he cared so greatly about. And over many years the desperation had grown. All was going wrong for these millions of folk. But nothing was being done to effect needed correction. His tone in the past year, indeed in recent months, had become increasingly desperate. The words, the feelings became violent, savage. 

It was of course the other side of Funmi, the side separate from the pure root of this brilliant, brave, wise, artistic, poetic, saintly, shamanic man; the rudder from which he steered. And I joined him on that fabulous journey; one on which I became a fellow traveller; a journey when Osun, my Prime Deity brought her Light forward, Strong and Bright, even in the Dark and Heavy presence of Funmi's favoured Ogun and Shango. And there were those Drums, ever the articulate Drums. And there was the  singing, the lusty chanting and exquisite chorales; the dancing—all in the flash of an instant, reaching back before time, bringing the force of life forward, all in tight, ethereal harmonies, sometimes in separate narratives . 

And blended in was the spell of thoughts and wisdom shaped from antiquity, from days of Oduduwa and Oranmiyan; they all came forward in the Grace of a Yoruba Heart and Spirit; the heart, mind and spirit which he would proclaim IS the Heart, the Mind and Spirit of ALL folk. 

He was of course right. Once into the mesmeric rhythm of his words, the songs of delight and enchantment, all bound by the intricate words of his Drums, those elaborate and magical beats flowed forth. Funmi spelled out clearly, to ears that were open, spirits informed and receptive, what the opportunities, the certainties, the joy of a great and Heaven-Ascending Life is all about. 

This was Individual Life as he received and conveyed it. It was the guidance and uplift of that life; it was indeed that magical elevation of Life at its quintessential, its highest exquisite reach. It was by definition, "Life More Abundant"; the reality of Life Attainable by ALL folk, in all Regions of this planet, perhaps beyond. It is the reality in which Funmi believes, and so do I. 

My friends, our personal loss; the loss to Sagamu, Yorubaland, other Nigeria folk, to the peoples of this world, is the loss of his mortal presence, the glorious and wondrous message of this presence which holds hard to our human bonds, to our union, fundamental and everlasting. 

The gain for those already at the High Table of the Creator is of one who will now make his own contributions to what goes on in this, our world below with its deep dark corridors, its steepling, roaring flames and billowing black smoke; the place where we "savage infants" continue our struggles as, in Faith and Hope, we "Reach for Maturity." 

My Friend Funmi, may your soul Rest in Peace, for at least a few Heavenly moments, before you re-join the fray bringing your uplifting, magical presence to bear on favoured persons—as you did with me—thus ensuring the continuity of that vital Fight for Great Light in Life.  

I miss you Funmi. You will remain with me, safe within for consultation and converse and friendship for the rest of my remaining days. Rest well. May the terrible tension and distress of your final months and days be eased. Your fight continues. 

———————————————————

FOR BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS  

See Attached item: 

(Thurs 26, and Fri 27 December, 2019

At Sagamu).  

———————————————————

Michael Vickers (aka Baba Mike) 

————————————————————

[segun ogungbemi]

My condolences to his family, relations and friends. Aase Edumare. 

May his soul rest with his Ancestors.  Aase Edumare. 

Segun Ogungbemi. 

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[OLAYINKA AGBETUYI]

Baba Mike:

Condolences for the untimely loss...

We join in the soulful dirge..

OAA

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

-------- Original message --------

From: segun ogungbemi <segun...@gmail.com>

Date: 19/12/2019 08:52 (GMT+00:00)

To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FUNMI ODUSOLU—?FAREWELL BUT NOT GOODBYE

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My condolences to his family, relations and friends. Aase Edumare. 

May his soul rest with his Ancestors.  Aase Edumare. 

Segun Ogungbemi. 

On Wed, Dec 18, 2019, 4:57 PM Michael Vickers <mvic...@mvickers.plus.com> wrote:

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