#MyKenyanHero by Trezer Oguda

Given a chance, who would you like to have coffee and a conversation with? Whether the person is dead or alive.  

For me, I would first do away with the coffee; I would rather have omena and brown ugali. The person I would share this meal with would be Margaret Alseba Bonyo. She is my dani. My maternal grandmother. I wrote her a letter; I hope you don’t mind reading it. 

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Amosi mama?  

Long time no see?! I hope all is well with you. Us we are fine. We could be better, but we are grateful for life, food and laughter. Umeskia mambo ya Corona virus? Can you imagine this ka-tiny virus is holding the whole world hostage in 2020?  Yaani we are here wearing masks 24/7 and covering ourselves with the blood of Jesus everytime someone coughs and sneezes next to us.  

Mercy!  

I was watching some program the other day, and someone was talking about how the best way to connect with a deceased loved one is to hold on to something they owned and loved. I don’t know if I believe in this medium business, but I need to hold something of yours as I write this. I have your passport in custody. OK. That sounds like I kidnapped it or something. I am keeping it safe, ma.  

This may catch you off guard, but you just know that you are my hero. 

How can someone I have never met be my hero? Oh, but I have met you. I see you every time my mother, your daughter, Carren smiles. That gap, diastema – Sandy, Tony and I have it too. I hear you when aunty Jetty calls just to beat stories. I don’t know if anyone ever told you this, but you brought forth and raised wonderful children. Uncle Eric was the best uncle anyone could ever ask for. He loved his nieces and nephews almost as much as he loved his beige bell-bottomed khaki pants. Ha! I can see us dancing twisty with him pale Freehold Estate. He was so handsome! I miss him. Tight hugs when you see him.  

Your daughters are true pillars. Mayie! You would be so proud of them! They are so selfless! Any word I use to describe what you taught them about loving themselves and others might be inadequate, so I won’t try. But let me tell you, dani, this is the exact reason you are my hero. You showed and taught love. It’s beyond you now; it is an ocean where your grandchildren and great grandchildren are swimming and soaking in. Now I know that the way to leave an impact in this world is not to live forever. It is to love. Love deep. The width of it all is just a matter of time.  

Ero kamano. Aheri.  

An nyakwari,  

Teresa.  

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Trezer is a storyteller who loves the sound of a throaty laugh. She lives to hear people own their stories for what they are – a testament that life is not linear, it is an adventure. She is currently unlocking the next level.