[August 31st

     As the boyz (mainly Sammy & Mato) ensured that the BBQ was getting on good on the grills, the girlz prepared food at the house. As we awaited for food, kids played whilst the " grown up " wazees like us  julishanad hali (to discuss each other well being). Food was ready we prayed then served chakula, and continued with chatting.

     I came to appreciate even more this one thing - As friends, It's good  too share positive views & encouragement to help each other grow. There are those times when we as wananchi feel down dues to certain issues & problems. To me gussing to my close friends serves as a reinforcement to my mind that most of us have shidas one way or another. It's not those shidas of kujitakia but those shidas which are part of life.

    Exchanging positive views is bound to make us friends strong ......... as in the effort put in solving our problems individually or as a group serves as an example to ourselves and distant others that " doing the best I/We can, then leaving the seemingly impossible, to the Almighty one God is as all one/we can do. "

     As we were at the birthday BBQ, a close buddy of mine - Beni, informs me that a friend of ours (Walter) had unfortunately lost his mom and friends were meeting at his residence before he departs for digz Monday (this pass Mon. Aug.28). I felt grief for this couple friends of mine (Walter & Happiness). Come Sunday, I went to pay them a visit.

     As Walter opened the door, he seemed so strong and he could hold a smile on his face. I was like  "aaah siku mingi Walter, bana ! Pole sana" his response " aaah Siku mingi Chalo. Nimepoa asanti. Karibu. " As I enter inside, I find an enlarged photo of his late mom with a smile of so much resemblance to that of her son - Walter. Walter tells me how he looks at the photo and wonders how it could be. He sat at a position which was straight facing the photo. Another buddy came in an We watched some humorous videos which he shot whilst back home in december @ Nairobi & Kisii with his late mom with abhagina (Kisii name for women not sure if it's spelt that way) singing happily having seeing "their" loved son again.

     I, shared a story with Walter about this incident which a buddy of mine (name withheld for privacy - I'll nick name him Johnston), narrated to me just the previous day at the BBQ about his late Kenyan buddy in New York who he had just spoke to approx. 2 weeks ago & all was well with him. Johnston's friend had invited him to visit NYC during this forth coming Thanks Giving holidays. Johnston was like he will make arrangements to visit him ......... Unfortunately Johnston received a call to be told that his buddy is on life support in I.C.U & the only he could communicate was through pressing someone's hand. Come Wednesday (3 days later) Johnston buddy unfortunately passed away.

    In a separate incident another buddy of Johnston's  had just lost his Dad but he couldn't make it / attend his Dad's funeral. The girlfriend to his buddy was in digz at that time of the death boyfriends father & she attended the funeral. A day or so later, his buddy here in Stato receives a call from digz that his girlfriend succumbed of Meningitis. Deep ! How life is full of Uncertainties.

    Lately, I have thought / and I'm caught thinking about life & death deeply like never before.

    Today the 31st August, As I'm talking to a buddy of mine Matee, he informs me that Wahome & Dennis (twin brothers) have lost their Mom too. The same smile which I saw on the late Walters mom' photo, is yet the same yet different in it's own way as the smile that I see in Wahome's late mom - Edith.

     When you read Wahomes article on about their late mom, he narrates QUOTE " A lot of people have been calling Mum, I don't know who they are but I have over 37 voice messages, I cannot bear to listen to them right now, I have been avoiding my friends and family, some are really pissed off but like I ...... "

   Wahome (Vic) & Dennis, all I can say and what most of your friends will kindly say to you is " Vic & Deno, - that's what friends are there for ".  You don't have to pick up the phone. I don't think that pals are QUOTE " pissed off " @ you as you earlier thought for not being able to answer their calls. Personally I respect Dennis & you having moments by yourselves. I phoned you too even (yes, even after reading the article). It might not make sense now but Vic na Deno, amongst those missed calls there are blessings coz true friends are a blessing you have friends.

May the Lord Rest Edith soul in Peace - Mama Victor & Dennis.

Below, In the back ground, Victor [Left] & Dennis [Right]