Praise God, everyone! I'm writing today with a heavy heart, but giving God the glory in spite of it. This week was a pretty hard week for me, but also a week of deep reflection as I along with tons of others mourn the loss of our good friend and mentor, Robert Mozia who was buried this morning.
I first met Bobby when I entered the pre-freshman program just before beginning of our freshman year at Penn. We connected because we were both Nigerian, both in the engineering school, both from NJ and my future roommate went to High School with him. But most of all, our friendship continued because Bobby had a very infectious attitude and was so cool (as evidenced by his shades in the graduation picture above, lol). He was a joy to be around, made friends with many people and also became a mentor to many people while there. After graduation, he was admitted to Cornell to pursue a PhD, and I was so happy for him! It was something I personally felt I could never do.....even more engineering? Wow, I admired him for that and was looking forward to calling him Dr. Mozia. I knew he could make it, and that's part of the reason that the news of his death was so shocking.
I've been meditating, crying, and praying over this this week, and it came to me, that I can take quite a few life lessons from his life, some of which are Biblical lessons:
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." ~Romans 12:18
I think its pretty safe to say that Bobby had a huge heart, and never argued with anyone. He went out of his way to do things for people, make people laugh and just keep all conversations peaceful. I can not really remember a single time that Bobby really was angry at someone, or held any malice about anything. And in a college setting, with all of the drama, group work assignments and more, its pretty difficult to find that many people with that demeanor towards others.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." ~Mark 12:30-31
I remember when I first started church hopping on campus freshman year, that I could always at least count on heading to mass with Bobby. It didn't stick because I am not catholic, or too familiar with it, but it was encouraging to know someone who made an effort to go, and it encouraged to to do the same. Bobby also loved just about everyone, and was not afraid to show it. I remember Bobby getting me and my old roommate gifts randomly during our freshman year, never expecting anything in return, and I also learned today at the funeral that Bobby did the same with his family whenever he travelled. On a personal note, I especially remember getting the "little sister" treatment all of the time, even though, technically, I'm a few weeks older, lol. Bobby would always walk me back to my dorm, even when I insisted that I'd be alright since we were only on campus, and he did this for many other girls too. I remember a few times when he questioned me about guys, or even chased a couple away when he didn't think it was a good idea. He just wanted everyone to be safe. And he also was a very loving mate to his girlfriend Liz. It was awesome getting to see their relationship develop, and to see such genuine love.
I could go on and on about Bobby, but the two notes above are the ones which resonate the most with me, and were the most memorable. How awesome is it to be remembered that way? Its obvious how great of a man he was, because the testimony of all of his friends and family agree so accurately. Always smiling. Always going out of his way for others. Infectious laughter. Intelligent, driven and hard working. It breaks my heart, but its encouraging and motivating at the same time to be able to say that I knew him, someone who led such a great life and touched so many in only 24 years. I just wanted to share this bit with you, because death is also something that we all have to deal with as Christians, and I'm starting to figure it out. I always like to use this blog as an outlet for what I'm learning from others, and as I grow, in hopes that others can be inspired and take something from it as well. I'm a bit all over and scatter brained today, so I really hope that you did! And in case you are interested, you can read a bit more about him in this Cornell Sun article.
Bobby, it was so hard saying goodbye today, and really having to accept it. There were so many people there who loved you. Your family loved you. All of your friends loved you. Your teachers and coaches. Your mentees. You touched so many by just being you, and I will never forget but be motivated by all you were able to do. Your deep desire for education, and to reach back and help others as you moved up. Your positive attitude and huge heart. You inspire me, and I'll continue to hold on to that until we meet again on the other side. Rest in peace Bobson.
I first met Bobby when I entered the pre-freshman program just before beginning of our freshman year at Penn. We connected because we were both Nigerian, both in the engineering school, both from NJ and my future roommate went to High School with him. But most of all, our friendship continued because Bobby had a very infectious attitude and was so cool (as evidenced by his shades in the graduation picture above, lol). He was a joy to be around, made friends with many people and also became a mentor to many people while there. After graduation, he was admitted to Cornell to pursue a PhD, and I was so happy for him! It was something I personally felt I could never do.....even more engineering? Wow, I admired him for that and was looking forward to calling him Dr. Mozia. I knew he could make it, and that's part of the reason that the news of his death was so shocking.
I've been meditating, crying, and praying over this this week, and it came to me, that I can take quite a few life lessons from his life, some of which are Biblical lessons:
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." ~Romans 12:18
I think its pretty safe to say that Bobby had a huge heart, and never argued with anyone. He went out of his way to do things for people, make people laugh and just keep all conversations peaceful. I can not really remember a single time that Bobby really was angry at someone, or held any malice about anything. And in a college setting, with all of the drama, group work assignments and more, its pretty difficult to find that many people with that demeanor towards others.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." ~Mark 12:30-31
I remember when I first started church hopping on campus freshman year, that I could always at least count on heading to mass with Bobby. It didn't stick because I am not catholic, or too familiar with it, but it was encouraging to know someone who made an effort to go, and it encouraged to to do the same. Bobby also loved just about everyone, and was not afraid to show it. I remember Bobby getting me and my old roommate gifts randomly during our freshman year, never expecting anything in return, and I also learned today at the funeral that Bobby did the same with his family whenever he travelled. On a personal note, I especially remember getting the "little sister" treatment all of the time, even though, technically, I'm a few weeks older, lol. Bobby would always walk me back to my dorm, even when I insisted that I'd be alright since we were only on campus, and he did this for many other girls too. I remember a few times when he questioned me about guys, or even chased a couple away when he didn't think it was a good idea. He just wanted everyone to be safe. And he also was a very loving mate to his girlfriend Liz. It was awesome getting to see their relationship develop, and to see such genuine love.
I could go on and on about Bobby, but the two notes above are the ones which resonate the most with me, and were the most memorable. How awesome is it to be remembered that way? Its obvious how great of a man he was, because the testimony of all of his friends and family agree so accurately. Always smiling. Always going out of his way for others. Infectious laughter. Intelligent, driven and hard working. It breaks my heart, but its encouraging and motivating at the same time to be able to say that I knew him, someone who led such a great life and touched so many in only 24 years. I just wanted to share this bit with you, because death is also something that we all have to deal with as Christians, and I'm starting to figure it out. I always like to use this blog as an outlet for what I'm learning from others, and as I grow, in hopes that others can be inspired and take something from it as well. I'm a bit all over and scatter brained today, so I really hope that you did! And in case you are interested, you can read a bit more about him in this Cornell Sun article.
Bobby, it was so hard saying goodbye today, and really having to accept it. There were so many people there who loved you. Your family loved you. All of your friends loved you. Your teachers and coaches. Your mentees. You touched so many by just being you, and I will never forget but be motivated by all you were able to do. Your deep desire for education, and to reach back and help others as you moved up. Your positive attitude and huge heart. You inspire me, and I'll continue to hold on to that until we meet again on the other side. Rest in peace Bobson.
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