THE POWER OF LOVE

The power of love.

I left her that early morning feeling apprehensive. I instinctively knew these could be the day.The long awaited day like a trip promised to a kid long ago. 

As I drove towards Malindi for an overnight assignment all I thought about was her.The picturesque vipingo sisal  plantations did little to distract my thoughts. I drove lazily with the cool breeze of the coastline wheezing past my face.I could see her face in my mind and just think about it.These day had occupied my mind for a very long time.I could wait,yes but I was nervous  That joyful apprehension that comes with unwrapping a gift.

How would it turnout?

Is these it?

My thoughts wandered to my father back in the days.He was a man I admired and loved unconditionally. He didn't need to justify it.Isn't that how it's supposed to be?Straight outta heart love,from son to dad .I  nostalgically recalled a story my father shared with me.He had narrated how he spent his time while in secondary school at Koilel boys in Gilgil.He told me that back then boarding schools were rare and for the privileged. He therefore rented a very small room in town.The room was too small to fit when sleeping ,he therefore had to make a choice .

"What choice was that?",I enquired.He adjusted his glasses and gave me that believe or not look.

" I had to make a choice for either sleeping with my feet or head outside because both couldn't fit in my room,"he answered .

I had to push for a definite answer so I asked him what was his

decision. He told me he chose to sleep with his head out. 

"Oh my God,"I screamed

"Why risk your life?" I asked him.

The answer he gave me changed my perspective of life completely. He said that his decision was in case somebody decided to attack him they'd rather finish him off than leaving him a cripple. I had never met a man so courageous. From these talk I decided to think and act like an African warrior. To do first things first, to suffer piously. To look for solutions,to lead from the front. To tackle the most urgent and important things first .Above all to focus on achieving my dreams.

On these sunny day as I approached Kilifi town I could see the creek at a distance.I longed for a time we could relax in the beach with my father again.Sadly though,he lay in bed in his home in Naivasha. Colon cancer had devastated his healthy body and it slowly drained his life on earth as a cat licks dry a plate of milk two months later .I was inconsolable.

These day I thought about the kind of dad I would become. I was hopeful and wished nay beseeched God and the ancestors that my father wouldn't leave us before seeing my child .His grandchild. That was all I wanted .

That night I couldn't sleep neither stay awake. I kept on oscillating between dreams and life. The dream of a new born and the death of my father. Would my father wait a little bit longer for my child?

Later  I received a call from my brother. Together with Peter wa skeeter they had rushed her to hospital.I jerked from bed like a gecko scanning the horizon. My thoughts were with them. I considered driving to Mombasa at the wee hours or waiting till morning. I decided that since I was not a certified midwife ,I'd rather wait than risk night hysterical driving. My brother  later called me and informed me that she was still in labour and they'd left for home till the next morning. I'd lie if I say I slept a wink. I went on my knees and prayed for them,for my dad and for myself till dawn. Come early morning I received a call from my brother. 

"It's a  bouncing baby boy" he joyfully announced.

"Thank you"I said.

" I will be there later ",I said all along  hiding my joy. At least my father might have a chance to see my son I  fathomed.

When I entered the room I found my aunt Gladys and a friend already there .Mother and son were fine. Aunty Gladys and her friend were each holding a baby on their arms. She asked me to identify my baby. Oh boy that was easy .How can a father miss that one! When I took him into my arms he gave me a wail that announced his arrival. It was a journey we started there and before. We're still walking.

Two months later I took him home to see my dad. He held him in his frail hands. It was the happiest day of my life. Finally my dad got to see and hold my son. Soon he left us but that memory has never left me.I sit here under a tree in Emurrua Dikirr, Transmara typing these note .As I listen to a song my father loved;Jimmy Cliff-Many rivers to cross .I will cross three counties these evening to enjoy a birthday with my son.It will also be a prayer and Thanksgiving day back at school for all KCPE candidates.

These far is because of You:Mwene Nyaga.

Keep guiding us,leading us,protecting us and providing for us.

Thank you for Maina Mandela Al.

I wish you  a Happy birthday .May the lord walk with you.May the ancestors bless you.Ase'.