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Post Humous Birthday Oration by Nwachukwu Nnamdi on Facebook.

-A Celebration of Mercy Aijay: A Heavenly Birthday Tribute -A Heavenly Smile: Honoring Aijay on Her Special Day -Remembering Aijay: A Birthday Wish for the Star in the Sky -Celebrating a Life that Continues to Shine

Caveat: This is a 'Long Read' howbeit, Congratulations when and if you read to the end. Enjoy the synergistic flow.

The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.

Today is World’s Mercy Aijay Day—a celebration of her vibrant spirit and enduring legacy. To honor her, I made an intentional effort to tag some of her vivacious JPEGs. So, I ask: Which Mercy Aijay are you today? Pick any version of her essence that resonates with you, and commemorate her in whatever meaningful way you can, no matter how small it may seem.

Heaven shines a little brighter today in honor of your special day. In every rainbow, I see your colors. Your love, light, and laughter live on in the stars. Sending a prayer and wish to the most special star in the sky. You might not be here on Earth, but you are always in our hearts. You left us with the most beautiful memories, and we celebrate you with love. The world seems duller without you, but your memory continues to shine. Thank you for everything, and enjoy your big day.

On your heavenly birthday, I take comfort in knowing that your love for people is eternal. Here’s to the legacy of love you left behind! As we look to the sky, we see your light beaming down on us, reminding us of your eternal presence and bringing us comfort. My biggest wish in life is that we meet again. Until then, I will honor the unconditional regards and support you showed me. I only hope they give you the biggest slice of your choicest cake for your special day. Happy birthday, 'Sisturr Mercy Aijay'.

Today would have marked a milestone birthday—a day to honor the incredible woman you were blossoming into. You were becoming more responsible, elegant, and inspiring with each passing year, yet what never wavered was the unwavering friend you were to us all. If you were still here, I’d probably be drafting a heartfelt “Happy Birthday” message just for you. It’s remarkable how we kept that tradition alive for years after school—me sending you birthday wishes every December 15th, and you doing the same for me every September 25th. That ritual became one of those rare and cherished connections that held so much meaning for me.

As I write this, I find myself scrolling through the last birthday message you sent me this September. It was quintessentially you—gracious and sincere. On the rare occasions when you sent it a day or two late, your apologies were so genuine and sweet, wrapped in that trademark smile of yours that was impossible to resist. Today, I had looked forward to continuing the tradition, crafting my own birthday message for you. But sadly, you’re not here to receive it, and the absence feels immeasurable.

I often think about that moment when I reached out to you during a particularly challenging time in my life. I was struggling to finalize the last details of my prototype design and needed a specific sum to complete it. Without hesitation, you came through—not only providing what I needed but surpassing my expectations. That singular act of generosity wasn’t just a moment of kindness; it was a lesson. You showed me the transformative power of compassion, and since that day, I’ve strived to carry forward that spirit of kindness, even in the smallest ways I can.

You left us with the most beautiful memories (and wittiest smiles), so today is bittersweet. I’ll never understand why you left us so soon, but I’ll always remember the times you were there for me. Today, I raise a toast to you, Aijay—to the memories we shared, the countless lessons you taught us, and the love you showered onto our fondest Christian family in school. Your stories live on in each of us every day. In your memory, we find strength and love. In every fun adventure, I feel your spirit. In every blooming flower, I see your smile.

Every time I watch reruns of Friends, I think of you and all the amazing memories we shared. Thank you for always standing up for me and making me smile—you taught me more than you’ll ever know. Sometimes I catch myself going out of my way to do random acts of kindness, and I know that that's your way of shining through me. There were things I never did before you passed, and now I find myself doing little things like that all the time. Your memory blooms like a beautiful garden. Your life was a melody of love and compassion, and your spirit is felt in every beat of our hearts.

The days since December 2nd have been heavy and reflective for all of us. Yet, through the sorrow, one thing shines bright—Aijay would have been thrilled to see how we’ve come together, united in love, support, and admiration. It’s a testament to how she lives on in each of us, through the innate ability she instilled in us to care deeply and connect with one another. A part of her exists in every cherished memory, and her light continues to guide us through the darkest moments. Let’s hold onto that light, finding joy in the moments we shared, and allowing them to remind us of the beauty she brought into all our lives.

If Aijay could see us now, she’d remind us to laugh. Her smiles and laughter were her way of conquering life’s toughest challenges, and she’d want us to do the same. I can almost hear her teasing us even now, saying, “Stop crying, you softies! You’ll get me crying too!”

Her brilliance was evident in everything she touched, especially during her time as Secretary of Christ Chapel. Whether she was delivering announcements on stage or taking care of other responsibilities, she did it all with grace, charm, and excellence. And who could forget her unforgettable performance as an "African Mother" in one of Shekinah Theatre’s NIFES productions? The title of the theatre presentation was Heaven Straight, directed by the Drama Coordinator at the time, Umukoro Godwin. She captured every nuance of the role with such humor and authenticity, leaving us laughing and marveling at her talent.

Your entrance into the UAFamily church online was nothing short of spectacular, marked by the radiant aura you carried with you. The energy you brought was so contagious that everyone instantly felt the pull to know you better, and you embraced it with unmatched enthusiasm and grace. You had a way of effortlessly connecting with everyone, and when you finally dropped what you called your 'finest picture' (and not just any 'picture' as Uncle Phil had requested), the entire breadth and width of the family house erupted in a collective 'Wow' followed by a resounding 'Ahaa!' moment. That’s when we all realized—you had slayed the request with your signature broadened smile, perfectly highlighting your beautifully knitted teeth. It was more than just a photo—it was you, capturing the essence of joy, warmth, and a contagious spirit that made everyone fall in love with you even more.

You are forever loved, cherished, and deeply missed. We’re missing you a little extra today, but your legacy of love and kindness lives on. You’re not just a memory but a living presence in our hearts. Your memory brings both tears and smiles, and we are forever grateful for the short time we shared together. Though we miss you every day, we miss you a little more today. I hope the angels are good party planners because you deserve the ultimate birthday bash. May your heavenly birthday be as beautiful and radiant as the love you gave us on Earth.

Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. You are gone, but thank you for all these soft, sweet things you left behind. Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity. It’s selfish of me to want you here on your special day, but we could never throw you a party quite like Heaven could. Therefore, I’m okay with knowing you’re having the best time up there with people you’ve been apart from for way too long.

Mercy Aijay is with us every single day, and wherever we go, we carry her in our hearts. This isn’t goodbye—it’s simply a different kind of hello.

This is to you Mercy Aijay, from all of us at Unwana Alumni Fellowship (UAFamily church online).