“I have left. Stay strong”
BY MUSYOKA
NGUI
Having bowed her last, here is my
final respects to grandma
In a
space of 112 days the cruel hand of death has twice visited my family and taken
two members. It took a husband and wife, leaving behind a trail of orphaned
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On May 22, it nipped Titus
Musyoka Mutwouvyu and in a little over 100 days later it came for his wife
Rhoda Kasyoka Musyoka aka Mikang’i.
When
susu was admitted in hospital I knew she was a fighter. She won the Tseikuru
battle. The she was referred to Thika. There, the battle was upped several
notches higher. Having braved the draining life from the veins drips, it is
certain that her children wanted to give her the best medical care they could
afford.
When
we came to burry your husband you were literally groping. With fading eyesight
and frail frame I recall your premonition: “You have come to bury him, tomorrow
it will me”. Then things seemed to have lulled until you were admitted with
severe diabetes.
I regret
to have known so little of you. I guess it’s the nature of today’s world. Being
in the city and you in the village offered little opportunities for us to
meet. The naughty nicknames you gave
each of us will surely be treasured. The explicit and honest thoughts you
offered about life, sex and relationships will linger eternal. You urged us to
be more and never be contended with less.
As
your descendant, I can assure you that I will be strong. I will be strong for
you and grandpa. The same is with the rest of my siblings, cousins and aunts
and uncles. You loved education and gave your children the best standard there
was. The improvement has been made tremendously. Your demise shared a month
with the first ‘husband’, Mutati which means “he who tries”. He is joining the
disciplined forces. You should have
lived longer to taste his first military package.
I
thank you that you did not bid us a bang like goodbye. Your departure was
gradual. Like US Army withdrawing from Afghanistan. Like KDF pulling out of
Somalia. It was strategic. The premonition. Now you have rested. Your journey
was and still is and will remain a great memory. The milestones will forever be
marked.
How
does it feel up there with your beloved husband? They say life never ends. That
death is a transition to another life. Are you remarrying again in spirit? I
would love to witness the posthumous reunion. Where do you guys go for honeymoon
up there in heaven?
These
are the questions we grapple with in our times. By now you know the answers- I
guess.
As
expected Mum is devastated. She hasn’t been able to send me a formal text or a
call to announce the sad news. Nonetheless, I understand. Having stayed with
you throughout your last days she expected to return home with you. But on
2/10/2014 at 10 am you bowed your last. I learned a day later despite the
advancement in technology. Perhaps the time was supposed to let the wounds heal
but even if it took ages the impact will still be as fresh as a nail on flesh.
On
11th day this month we will lay you to rest. May your soul rest in
eternal peace.
The writer
is a Final Year student of Bachelors of
Arts Degree in Communication and Media at Chuka University and a Blogger at
musyokangui.blogspot.com
Email
your thoughts to musyokangui02@gmail.com
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