By Da One
These words of mine are coming eleven months late. We will see again but surely not in this transient physical world. You have answered to the call of The Mighty One long before we could talk about all the things we had wanted brainstorm. From philosophy to religion, from entrepreneurship to business proposals, from Basketball to wellness, from romantic relations to spirituality, from agricultural ideas to space travel; you and I always hit the road of intellectual discussions like there is no tomorrow. We never exhausted one single subject matter because we took pride in having a broader perspective with limitless horizons.
You and I got to know each other through a mutual friend, Amadou Trawally. Nevertheless, the moment we met and when you told me your mission in The Gambia, we realized we had a common acquaintance by the name Bojack. Bojack came to The Gambia in 1999 as a guest of the Baha’i community. He was so impressed with the Gambian people that he recommended to you to come and visit this little paradise of human kindness.
When Amadou introduced you to me, I was smitten with your openness, your kindness and your mature wisdom in life. We started to meet on regular basis, or rather I started to visit your house every week or so. Your doors were always opened to me with your equally kind and sweet wife Barbara Arrington. I never saw her frown. She was always gently smiling and prodding to get us talking, agreeing and disagreeing. She, like you, has a towering brain on top of those shoulders. You know she often beat us to our game.
As I reflect on my regret for never having written to you earlier, tears filled my eyes because we are both lovers of the written word. I know what it would have meant to you to read a letter from me, from afar. Words got stuck into my throat and the keyboard become blurry in my eyes filled with tears. But I realize that’s the burden of life. It has to go on.
I will respect your will not to openly talk about the help you have rendered to me. You said I should just pass it on. This is the true Bob Arrington for tens of thousands of people. I’m doing my best Bob, yet I might not be able to reach the number of people whose lives you have tremendously touched and transformed. But I promise, I will go on to do my bit to make it easier for the few I am able to impact with my words and my deeds.
Many people will remember you as a pioneer of the various free computer class offered in Lamin, Bakau, Latri Kunda, etc. Those really close to you will know your company is the true gift of your being and your existence. It was always pure bliss to sit face to face or beside you. You radiated love and compassion for all who are lucky to be in your presence. And missing that, makes me really sad.
You have inspired many young people to be of service to their communities especially to women and the youth. Your inspiration has given rise to many undertakings in our country that are currently serving the people. Some are unknowingly benefitting from Bob without ever knowing about him. In that reality, I take comfort.
Until we meet again in person Bob, you will forever be a part of me. Smile Bob, smile in heaven.