I cannot honestly tell if this shall be the beginning of that series where I said I would tell the world of the wonders of each of my friends. I also do not know if it is just because I am suddenly in the grips of this overwhelming urge to write down something. Said grip is tight, and it refuses to let go at this particular point in time. It may relinquish its hold on me at any moment; but while it has me in this choke-hold, I must do its bidding. The one thing I am sure of is that, while the tone of this may be rambling, it will likely be short and hopefully, sweet.
Would you believe I met Lilian on/via Twitter? It’s been quite a while; that I can assure you. She was the course-mate or friend of a friend, back in University of Ghana. I remember her also as Akua’s friend from Aburi Girls’ High School. (Lol when we were younger, most high schools were called [senior] secondary schools but let me not digress) How this friendship with my madam has become one of those that anchors me in these turbulent waters of life is one of same life’s mysteries. It has actually transcended the bounds of mere friendship into a familial relationship for which I will forever be thankful.
I cannot remember the first time I met Lilian in person, but I’ll tell you one thing I thought was how could this diminutive person be so BIG online? (I know you’ve wondered too lol) Please bear in mind that I was a skinny, little chit myself, so coming from me, that was definitely a bit rich. That should really have been the first indicator to me that we would get along like two peas in a pod. Here’s where it gets interesting, actually. Naa Korkoi is by no means a quiet person. She will not sit quietly and watch anyone run roughshod over anything or anyone she feels passionately about. However, and both like AND unlike me, she can be the calmest person in a room where upheaval is rife.
Lilian is a perfectionist. She honestly is. If she denies this, or tries to, tell her she doesn’t know herself and I, Sitsofe Ofori said this. The amazing thing about this is everything she does is excellent. Lol that’s also the downside. Everything she does MUST be excellent. However, I am thankful for growth and maturity because over time, she is learning (as I believe we all… or most of us, are) that life will throw you curve-balls, and the excellence that you seek will be circumvented through no fault of your own.
This woman is beautiful – inside and out. Lilian is such a major part of the support system I didn’t know I had. She is probably one of a group of people (said group which I can enumerate on one hand) that I can tell any and everything; she will keep her judgment – if said exists – to herself while helping you work out what issues your stupidity may have caused. I know that, while she is small(-ish), she has made herself so strong that she WILL carry your burdens with and for you. Her selflessness is one for the books. This woman will literally force you to let her help you. Being someone who isn’t used to asking for help, or even showing weakness, this is invaluable to me. Lol but don’t think you’re going to come and take advantage of her kindness. Please, my madam is walking with her big mind already.
I said this would be short but I can already see that I am fast approaching seven hundred words. That is actually the thing. There is so much to unpack about Ms. Lilian Naa Korkoi Tackie. She is amazing beyond words. She is hardworking and she’s not a quitter. She WILL get it right. She is the epitome of a Jill of all trades (I hope you know the full adage – Jill of all trades, master of none, though ofttimes better than master of one -she, however, will master one thing before moving to another though…like I said, she’s a perfectionist).
That little spitfire that you see is also the sweetest person you could ever have the chance of encountering. She is the calming voice to my boisterous persona. She is one of the very few voices of reason that I listen to, because I know she would have critically analysed any issue which is set at her feet before making any pronouncements.
We constantly joke about how alike we are, especially in thought and speech. However, please know that where I will be willing to throw hands (don’t try me; I’m really the mean one – yes, I just outed myself but that’s okay), Lilian will seek peace. This woman, my friend-turned-sister, is the personification of loving one’s neighbour as espoused in the Good Book.

I am thankful for my friend. I am blessed to call her sister. I know her blessings are continually unfolding, and I am thankful God put me in her path to see them all.