A one in a lifetime Woman

“Labani nouthie kuraya…akoro ni ukwenda..”[Laban you can go far, only if you wish…] Those were the words she used to encourage me with and persuade me to get back to books and read, when I sat glued in front of  the black and white ‘Greatwall’ TV watching soaps.I loved Soap operas then. My favorite soap was ‘The Storm over Paradise’,the Mexican Soap Opera featuring the star Eric Elias and  Sara Maldonado acting as Nicholas and Amyar respectively .I honestly felt the love of Nicholas…remember? I even stole some of  his pick-up lines and tried them in High school…and they worked! Enough of the same now am changed, I hate soap operas.

Her memories are indelible in my mind. She was the first woman to share with me the secret behind every woman. No wonder she loved soap operas too. She nurtured me from her heart, never got tired of punishing me, by all means when I erred. The best thing about her, she was always forgiving. She always insisted on a man who is a hardworking,a fast man when doing his chores.I remember one day I had to run an errand for her, but I delayed returning back.When I returned she was like “Ke uthire Meru…mundurume ni mituki…”[Did you go to Meru,a man is fast…].We always considered the town,Meru as that far.

The woman who stepped in and filled the gap in my life. Raised me on behalf of my blood mother. After their divorce with my dad, when I was 7. Lobbied my dad to grant me some favors, one I can’t forget when I was in form two, she persuaded my dad to pay for me a trip to Egerton University, where I am today. That was the first time I saw the university, then I kept praying working hard to get there. The Lord is ever faithful, I am finally a student at Egerton University.

When I finished my form four, she never stopped advising me.Though old and ailing, she assured me of getting to campus, only if I was serious. She asked of me if possible, to  finish the University and bring home the degree together with  my ‘better  half’, from campus. Just like in the soaps we watched on our black and white TV. Today I thank God for He confirmed to her I was getting to the university someday. When the KCSE results were released, she was the first I shared with my grade.

Shucks, she never got to know which university I was admitted to. She passed away during the two year JAB selection period. Anyway grandma, I thought of you this morning. I know your spirit of courage will always live inside me.I give thanks to God for the time we shared together.

RIP grandma.

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