For Otunba T.J. Abass, the Publisher of Eko Hot Blog, this year’s birthday was unlike any other, a bittersweet reminder that life’s joys and sorrows often walk hand in hand.
EpeInsights reports that in a deeply moving reflection titled “My Birthday: A Breath of Gratitude into the Gloom of Grief,” the distinguished community leader shared how his most recent birthday became both a celebration of life and a solemn tribute to loss.
“I do not arrogate any special recognition to that particular day,” Abass wrote, emphasizing that every sunrise is, to him, a gift from his Creator.
“The recent health scare, which brought with it countless anxious moments, has only reinforced this conviction.”
Yet, amid gratitude for life, Abass confessed that this year felt “particularly surreal.” The day coincided with remembrance of a close friend and brother, Attorney Larry Johnson, a long-standing member of Eko Club Houston for 21 years, who recently passed away. Johnson had once stood by Abass during his own health struggles, never knowing he was himself already in death’s shadow.
“If death handed out serial numbers, we would all be counting down to our digits,” Abass reflected somberly. “But there is no waiting list.”
In what became the most emotional twist of the evening, members of Eko Club International, the global arm of the prestigious Eko Club—secretly planned a surprise birthday celebration for him. What began as a staged confrontation outside the hall quickly dissolved into a heartfelt birthday melody, leaving the celebrant both shocked and deeply touched.
Describing the moment as “the painful pleasure of shiny stars in the darkest sky,” Abass praised the ingenuity and camaraderie of the club, which has thrived for 25 years by emphasizing unity and positive values.
“For 25 years, Eko Club International has thrived not by pointing fingers but by helping hands,” he said. “True leadership involves bringing out the best in people rather than highlighting their shortcomings.”
The duality of grief and celebration was not lost on the celebrant. For Abass, the surprise tribute was more than just a birthday—it was a symbolic reminder that even in times of sorrow, friendship, faith, and community can provide strength and light.
“It was not about choosing between grief and celebration,” he said, “but about gracefully embracing both.”
Quoting Michael Jackson’s Heal the World, he concluded that while people are dying, caring for the living creates a better place. He extended gratitude to friends, family, and colleagues for their calls, messages, and prayers, while honoring the memory of Larry Johnson.
“Life reminds us of its rhythm: even in the darkest cloud, there is a silver lining,” he wrote. “Like a tree spared from the storm, I stand here today with a firm belief that as God remains entirely in control, I have many more calendars to trash.”
For Otunba T.J. Abass, this year’s birthday was more than a date—it was a testimony of resilience, faith, and gratitude, even in the face of grief.
