LIFE IS SWEET

Nothing is as sweet as living a full luscious life. Such a life fills us with abounding energy and vitality.  We feel at the top of this accursed world. No challenges will deter our full-time living.  No idea crosses our limited minds that we shall one time be no more. 

Life is exceedingly fulfilling though we face downfalls. Challenges are galore to weigh us down.  Problems arise as downers to our raised spirits.  That time we feel we are in a better position, when we feel we are at the zenith of our success is when the Lucifer of problems and his evil demons pour down with vengeance.

DEATH IS INEVITABLE

A day comes in our life when we will be no more.  That time will come armed with incurable diseases and excruciating pains.  Then we surrender and pass on.  Though many call it peaceful but to me it is painful. 

The living know they will die one time but the dead know nothing. 

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6

For the living know that they will die,
    but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
    and even their name is forgotten.
6 Their love, their hate
    and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
    in anything that happens under the sun.

My grandfather's time reached too.  I was not born by then but the story of his passing away is often narrated with nostalgia by those who were around. 

• Kegodi son of Amuhanda,  as my grandfather was called,  had suffered different strange ailments that used to come and go.  Kegodi,  never worn any clothes as such had not reached the remote area by then.  The invalid slept on a mat made of banana fibre.  His attendant kept adjusting the bullock skin he used as his wear.  The invalid's body was swivelled and was needle thin with ailing.  A stench emanated from the invalid and filled the room.  "I was... going on a journey but night caught up with me at Kegendirova.  I slept in the neighbourhood but I will go tomorrow. " he laboriously announced to the surrounding people.  It was as if he was talking to himself.  Yet the following day,  he greeted everyone around and closed his eyes forever. 

That was my grand-dad. 

WHY MY GRANDFATHER WILL BE MORE PEACEFUL IN THE GRAVE RATHER THAN RISING TO TODAY'S LIFE. 

• My granddad never saw clothes leave alone the technology of today.  He never knew cars, aeroplanes and computers ever existed.  He will not know how to behave on roads and may want to run back to the grave and rest. 

• My grandfather never knew words like corruption,  inflation and nepotism which exist today.  He may not understand all these things.  He will find himself at the wrong side of the law all the time. 

• My granddad lived in the forest where the closest neighbour was miles away.  Their houses were thatched with grass and we're made of wood smeared with mud.  Floors were plastered with crowdung. These crowding of houses made of tiles,  bricks and all the nice materials will return my grandfather to the grave faster than you can say, bingo. 

• Money was not available in those days.  One could go to the forest and get one he needs.  There were no title deeds and one could farm anywhere.  They used to exchange in barter trade any commodity one needed.  You could even go to a neighbour and borrow whatever you needed.  Now we have money,  cryptocurrency and many other mysteries my grandfather will not cope with. 

• Lastly,  our traditional language is gone.  Children communicate in English,  Kiswahili,  French and other languages that my grandfather knew not about.  My granddad just spoke in his mother tongue. 

Things have really changed.  Years have flown and with it came advancement.  Yet, to me, it is backwardness.  We have forgotten our roots.  Not that I want you to wear skins, but at least speak your native language.