In Memory of TJay

A Tribute I wrote for my late brother... Tabu 'TJAY' Airi Jnr.

This is indeed a sad day for our families. We have lost such a great person. My brother was only just 22 years old when fate met him on that dreadful day. Tabu reading your eulogy today was not one of the things that ever came across my mind to do but I have to do it. I think sharing our grief with friends and family would help us ease our burdens.

Tabu was born on the 7^th of June 1995 to Hegame & Kari Airi. 

This was the beginning of a life that would strengthen the relationship between not just two families but two clans, Minihi & Gunina.

Bouncy, energetic and playful, his early childhood years brought so much joy, laughter and love to the whole family. 

Tabu when he was 1 or 2 years old

He started his schooling at Jack & Jill Early child-hood center and later went on to do his Grade 1-8 at Coronation Primary School. Dad was on average salary while mum did her best in whatever little she could do so we could get good education. The love and support from family was always there.

Our parents always did their very best to give us the life they wished they had. Tabu later went on to complete his grade 9-10 at Gordon Secondary and Grade 11-12 at Tabubil Secondary. His Grade 12 teacher in sending her condolence spoke highly of Tabu as a very dependable person among his peers.

Although his interest in music was always there, it was also during this time that he started to take music seriously, especially rapping. Dad bought him a keyboard. His leisure time was spent singing, playing and recording. He would spend hours on end in the room making what we would call “noise” but to him it was music to his ears.

Rapping is a style of music where the rapper sings the lyrics which are mostly rhyming stanzas. They try to synchronize their rapping with the beat of the music. There was always a message behind their rapping. This was Tabu’s favorite style of music. The next two years would see him participating in the Sprite Sike-up talent quest which he won an award; and in the Cosmopolitan Talent quest as well. His music was beginning to ring some bells and the future for him in music looked promising.

Cover design for his demo album I made as a tribute to him.

Last year he completed his Certificate in IT at IBSU and later went on to finish his diploma just this year when these has happened. The presence of his friends from IBSU with us yesterday and this morning shows Tabu had an open circle of friends. It was not just the education you receive in school but the friendships you create that can last for a lifetime.

Short and stalky, his physical appearance suited the type of sport he loved to play; Rugby.

·         2013 and 2014: Tabubil Rugby Club

·         2015: Kalibobo Gunners Rugby Union (in Madang when he came over to stay for a while with me)

·         2016: Gealatana Titans, Tubusereia Rugby league also played with Lahara U-21.

You are all here because my brother meant something to each and every one of you, personally, he was my guardian angel. Tadikakana gwau na egwaum. Growing up together with a younger brother who is strong willed and often aggressive when it comes to family he often got into fights because of his brothers and sisters. I remember when I was being belted so badly by our father for doing something wrong, he stepped in and with tears in his eyes asked my dad to stop. “Daddy vadaini, lau kakagu madi” were the words he spoke.

He is also the one person I could confide in during my most difficult times. I could talk to him about anything because he never judged. Tabu was such a character. He knew how to be serious at times and he also knew when to joke around. As a friend he was also very dear. He always found time to be with his friends. He always found time to be with family from both sides. He is also the one person in the family who would proudly call himself a “KARU”.

He was a very loyal and kind friend. He was also very polite. He could be very immature at times but that’s just because he was still a child inside a young man’s body. It is without a doubt that his death has brought us all together and rekindled that togetherness as family.

I know my brother left lots of things undone and others that he never had a chance to start. He had big dreams and aspirations for a better life, unfortunately, he’s dreams and hopes have now come to an end.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart
 

This occasion and all that has happened in it reminds us of how rare and precious life is.

Let’s just be thankful for all the special moments that my brother has left us.

We could go on and on with the eulogy but I believe the best way to remember someone is to carry on the good work that they have started. Whatever character that was good in him, we can carry it on and bless one another.

And with that, I hope that my brother will continue to live on within our hearts and minds.

Bamahuta