Before You Say Goodbye!

We may not have grown up together.
Played no game or fought as children
Had not walked to school beside you
But we were siblings, for we had one father.

There is much I’d love to know about you.
The life you lived and grew up without us.
The heartaches and suffering you had endeavor
Who gave you the strength to overcome life battles?

We met only on a few occasions.
Not much time to build a rapport
Your humor attained my devotion.
But I loved it when you called me “Nanga.”

Our father loved being around his children.
I loved to be among my siblings.
We only have a handful of those occasions.
I treasured every moment when you joined in

I remember those few instances we met as adults.
How we laughed at your jokes at father’s funeral
When you sang at our familial gathering
Would that be the last memory you will leave behind

If we ever had any hurt or mistakes among us
I ask for your forgiveness, for you already have mine.
Let there be no doubt or regret for mishaps in the past.
Shed a tear reflecting only of the good times

I want to say I love you while you are still with us.
I hope you will not have any form of suffering till the end.
If your destiny allows it, I will trade place with you.
To spare your life and offer you mine to live.

Love, Nanga

This has been a very unsettling year since the beginning. Each and every person on this earth has been affected one way or the other. Loss of wealth, health, life, and living have altered all human lives, and we learn to live with it. Tomorrow seems so far away, and yesterday was chaotic and today is overwhelming. Hope for a better future at hand, but the path is blocked, so how we find our way is the challenge at hand. Nothing is certain in this time of our existence. What matters is getting through the day, waiting, and hoping for the best. This, too, shall pass, and we will look back one day and tell our children, grandchildren, how we have survived.

My grandson had his first communion, without his family around, no celebration. A happy moment was stolen from a child.
My nephew’s, chemo treatment was delayed, and his cancer has spread throughout his body. He depends on his children, 23, 18, and 13year old, for his care, who are terrified of what’s to come. My brother is dying of an unknown disease, which is incurable. I can’t imagine the state of mind of his wife as she shoulder this burden alone. Would we get a chance to say goodbye to our loved ones, celebrate their life, or offer comfort and support before it’s too late?
Each family is affected and goes through their own suffering, writing their own stories in the book of life. Corona has not favored any but attacks anyone, rich and poor, young and old, with its viper. What remains is to hold our breath, follow safety guidelines, put on our barriers, stay alert, and help minimize the spread of the virus until the vaccination takes control.

I’d ask you to take this time to tell your loved ones how much you love them, forgive for everything, and feel the peace in your heart instead of waiting. What is the point of crying at a funeral if you never took the time to appreciate their lives when they were alive?

Bea