I do a lot of texting;
I interact with numerous people via sending of texts. I rarely indulge in phone
calls…..being on phone is not my thing on any jolly day. A couple of days ago I
was familiarizing with a new friend I met in campus. I had previously told him
something touching on my uncle, my aunt and I as we talked about one another’s
parents. Throughout this conversation, he was keen enough to notice I never
talked about my parents. When I really had to say something that a parent would
do for his/her kid, I would instead mention my guardians (whom I’ve grown to
refer to as daddy and mama) or my aunt and uncle. Recently as we were chatting
he requested to ask me a personal question. “? Aha, I’m listening…..” And he
went ahead to ask why I never talk about my parents.
Casually I replied to
him saying, “Oh, sorry I never told you about my parents, they passed on when I
was a kid. I got over it many years back. In fact I have grown up around people
who treat me so preciously that I wonder if my own parents would ever have done
the same for me.” I further explained to him that I didn’t like letting the
whole world know that I was orphaned at an early age as I am one person who
doesn’t appreciate pittance in a situation where we all should be treated
equally. I have learnt to appreciate the death of my parents, for in one way or
the other, consequentially; I believe my life path has shaped me into a better
ingredient for the society.
I barely know my dad as
his demise took place while I was 2 years. But I have vivid memories of the
times I shared with my mum, and I know that back then I was never bright in
class. Not because my I.Q wasn’t good enough, but maybe because I just never
saw the sense in working hard or being an achiever. Upon the death of my mum, I
moved in to stay with one of her best friends and colleague at work. It is
through this family that life portrayed a different meaning to me. Life was
about toiling to achieve; it was about believing in oneself and having
ambitions. I remember always being told by mama (as I refer to my guardian) that
I was very smart, if only I put a little effort. And with those words, I spent
a whole year of standard three sparking myself that I would rank among the best
three pupils in my class……from a below average student!. Everywhere I went I
would remind myself the task ahead. When I finally did it, I knew I had indeed
made a milestone in life, and would never look back. Rather, would give my best
at all I do.
Most of my family
members never made (make) it to university…..not because they couldn’t (can’t)
do it, but because my family (close and extended) is one place where education
isn’t a top priority to young people. I turned out different, and I owe my
guardians’ for my achievements so far, because through their efforts, I got enrolled
at Starehe Girls’ Centre as a pioneer student where my high school education was
fully catered for. My family wasn’t economically stable and I had relied on my
guardians’ support through my primary education. It was at Starehe that I landed
yet another sponsor to handle my university fee.
I know mum and dad are
proud of me wherever they are. It is not for nothing that they had to leave; perhaps
it was God’s plan of letting me lead a different path that would later define
my personality as an epitome.
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