Death, you are never a friend, you snatched away my best Friend Tim who walked with me through thick and thin. Life has never been the same, but I thank God that your memories never fade away.

It still seems like you departed from us yesterday. Fresh memories of the good things we did together still linger in my mind day in day out.

Born in the same year with Tim, we were brought up in the same village and schooled together during the tender age; we knew each other when walking to school without shoes and back in the evening. But this did not stop us from accomplishing our mission. I vividly remember you encouraging me to put more effort to ensure that in a short while, we will be proud kids to our parents.

Our High School years were still our teen years, and our parents became proud of us. We never engaged in bad peer habits even though at times we felt compelled to divert from our daily duties; we still upheld our principles. This led us to obtain good grades, and we were admitted to prestigious Universities in the country.

This too came to pass that after we graduated in, we happened to secure jobs in neighbouring banks. This was a dream come true. And in a short while, Tim started driving. That was the end of my tarmacking to work. I remember the bright mornings you would pick me up at our gate, drive me to work and later pick me after work as we proceeded home.

We could have wonderful weekend’s outings together, travel to different cities and observe sceneries, take our best meals and give surprises to our old friends too. People took us for twins rather than friends.

Life was enjoyable until that fateful morning that the helicopter you were travelling in decided otherwise. The skies were so heavy that the pilot could not view them and within a short while, it crashed in a thick forest. The bodies which included Tim’s were burned beyond recognition. I could never believe what I saw but all in all, it was finished.

This was the most trying moment in my life. Tears ran dry, I lost my voice crying to God to bring you back but it was too late, Gods will had already been perfected.

Tim, you gave me a reason to live, to endure hardships and to work hard in an independent manner, though you are gone forever, your memories are still fresh within me. I wish I could get another chance to see you, to walk with you on the slopes of the mountains, and to have the swimming competition on the beach.

If only life was reversible, I could reverse yours and enjoy for only one day and get a chance to say goodbye, but my last wish is, may you watch over us, we are taking care of the baby girl you left behind, and Your Mom can’t let her miss the good life you so wished for her.

Tim, remember that you are irreplaceable but may you continue to rest in peace.

Every day is a fresh day with the thoughts of my mother. She brought me up through thick and thin and till this day, I stand strong and say that it is all because of her that I have grown to be who I am today. Ruth is her name, the woman filled with wisdom and endurance

I wish to share some of the most touching things that my mother taught me, and to this day, I still reap the fruits of the great deed she assisted me in.

To start with, I was brought up in a family that feared God and my father was a pastor in one of the upcoming churches at home.

Mother had to play the role of two parents while my father was away teaching the gospel.

She taught me to fear the creator and obey the commandments. I grew up knowing that this was the ultimate goal to see me through in life. I am proud that even today, all my religious beliefs were grounded from my mother. She is a lily in the valley, beautiful every day with wise words that not every person would have done it.

Mummy taught me to stand strong even on trouble. I remember very well when she lost her sister and was left to take care of my cousins; she could endure suffering, lack of school fees for all of us but her strength kept us going. She could rise early in the morning, till the garden and manage to get some food for us. Though it was not enough to feed us, she still endured as ensured we had a bite.

Whenever I share this with my sons, I ensure that I bring them up in the way of enduring hardships and letting them know that life is not paced on a silver platter, but one got to work hard for it.

The other most important factor is responsible. Having been the first born child in a family of eight, she taught me to take care of her siblings. At times she grew weak in her body, could not go out for her daily duties, but since she imparted me with responsibility at a tender age, I grew up knowing that I am a second mother and my siblings should never suffer when I am alive. To date, I have extended this responsibility to my children, and I have watched them grow to become responsible adults as I release them to the world.

The responsibility she put me in helped me to make decisions which determined my future including my friends, the career I am in today and the fear of God in my life.

All this credit is bestowed on my dear mother, Ruth.

Whenever I see disobedient children, I remember my strict mother who could never allow me to stray with the wrong company. I remember very well in my teenage years, she could advise of the good friends and who to avoid. Most of those friends that I detached with from her advice did not go far, but I excelled to those who obeyed their parents and had respect for the elderly.

I would write ten thousand words of praise to my mother, and wherever you are Mom, I still love you, I need more advise from you and pray to God that you remain safe even in your old age.