Sunday 26 April 2015

YOU STILL REIGN IN OUR HEARTS

Image result for phenomenal sunset



Hi dad,



It’s our yearly date yet again. It’s now seven years since we started having this meet ups. Well, a lot has changed. I can’t begin to tell you about all the great things that have been happening. For starters, I turned 22 and it feels amazing. I am now in fourth year to be graduating end year. As you can see, I now run a blog. I am sure this is probably the best news you’ll hear today. Just like you always pushed me, I am taking writing very seriously.



Just before you think I am talking too much about myself, Vanessa and Victor are all grown up. They turn 13 on 20th August. Mum and I are doing a tremendous job in bringing them up. Victor is crossing the threshold into puberty and I wish you were here to guide him through all the men stuff. Hehe. Generally though, he’s all toughened up. He drives now and can easily change a tyre. Surprisingly, nobody taught him any of these things. We are all surprised at his growth and before you start to worry; he’s doing a great job being the man of the house.



Vanessa is a young lady now. You won’t believe how responsible she has turned out. She has that look in her eyes, that you always had. She’s just like you. Calm and collected. As young as she is, she keeps us in check. Indeed, a charmer and still aspires to become a model.



I always save the best for last , YOUR QUEEN. She misses you fondly. Recently, she got this perfect framing of your photo that none of us are allowed to touch. The best gift you probably gave her is us. Your absence leaves a void but she’s doing just fine. Through us she has a piece of you, something to remind her of all you were and still are to her. It would be fair to say, she’s on top of things. You were the luckiest man to marry such a strong lady. She works so hard but makes it look so easy.



How would I forget to mention how beautiful she looks at 46. She isn't changed one bit.

You might have to keep this age thing a secret though. She believes she’s 30.



Loving Daughter,

Njeri

This is the conversation I have with my dad every year. A monologue you may think but once you love someone they are never truly far from you. Our love is his tether to the world. His presence is in the rustling of leaves outside my window, I may not see him or feel him as I would want but he can hear me so I’d be a fool not to update him on the progress of his investment.

Today is my dad’s anniversary. Exactly the same day, circa seven years ago, he rose to glory. Our family doesn’t hold a memorial service .We text each other and reminisce on the good old memories. Sometimes we find ourself crying but most times we're happy. It’s wise to keep things subtle to avoid bringing unnecessary memories to my siblings. Rule No.1 of parenting.

The last time I saw my dad is easily my most memorable moment. I remember it was on a Friday. He woke up unusually early and seemed extraordinarily happy about something. As was his norm, he tuned into classic 105 to listen to Maina Kageni. He indeed was a sucker for old school music, one of the many things that I see in myself. I still hold on to the music CDs he left behind from his humongous collection.

Unlike other traditional men in society, dad preferred to iron his shirts and polish his shoes. He did it so perfectly, you'd automatically know why he liked it that way. Even better was if everyone else around the house was busy with other chores. He would whip up his own breakfast and never fuss about it. Exactly how many men are like this today?

At this time, mum and I were in the kitchen. She had just gotten her leave a few days ago and was really treating the family with her recipes. On such a day, the house help would be busy doing other chores. My siblings were 6 then, so they were still asleep.

When my old man was done getting ready he came down to the kitchen and insisted to have his cup of tea while standing. He was in a hurry to set off to his business. Ironically though, he still had the time to remind us that ‘anaenda kutafuta unga’(his exact words) and to look at mum and I to remind us how extremely short we were but still looked amazing anyway. That's when I realized, I would probably be vertically challenged all my life and even age wouldn't do me any favours.

Gerald was a man of few words .He'd be in the house, you wouldn't see him but you felt his presence. If he wasn't busy under his car or on his phone, he would be watching an some movie. It was always one of those action flicks that had Stallone or Schwarzenegger in it. Now that I think about it, this is how I got to fall in love with Denzel. Our house was always updated with A list movies.

Having been the first born in a family of seven, dad had mastered the art of peace making. He detested conflicts. His belief was that there was a solution to everything thus no need to go nuclear. My highlight would be when he made a problem look so simple, the antagonist would hate himself.

Would you believe my first ‘sheng’ word came from dad? We were taking a test drive around the estate when I was 12 and I asked, why the radio wasn't working. My old man flat out told me, ‘siku hizi sio radio,ni tenje.’Hehe. He was the coolest father ever.

Thanks to dad, Sundays were my favorite days back when he was still around. he would make the tastiest meal of pan fried steak while mum was in church. He wasn't much of a  church enthusiast, but why would I even care when I was getting pampered with rare meals. The taste of his Spanish omelette has stuck with me since and I am forever grateful that he taught me every bit of preparing one.

How would I forget his prowess in grammar? If at all you were to speak in English in our home, it had to be proper. I vividly remember his siblings bringing him their CVs and he would rewrite them while insisting how significant it was to express yourself articulately. My school compositions were also not spared, they would be highly scrutinized, which to be honest left me option less. I had to read more to reduce the criticism directed towards me.

I can go on and on about my late dad’s greatness but that would mean publishing an entire book. His demise was life transforming for me. It opened my eyes to the finite nature of human life. It doesn’t matter how long you live, if you live without purpose then what's the point? In retrospect, my father had achieved almost all he wanted to by the time he met his death at just 39. Who doesn’t want the same?

Rest In Peace Gerald Mwangi Mureithi (Gee) 1969-2008







Wednesday 22 April 2015

BADASS





Badass. Are you badass? I suppose I am. However, to be referred to as badass needs some getting used to. I think of badass and what comes to mind is an action movie actress, kind of like Angelina Jolie in Salt. Hehe.

Recently, an acquaintance called me ‘badass’. I remember being irritated and trying to ignore him but he kept insisting.

“Beth, do you know you’re badass?”

Ever tried to ignore someone but they are staring right into your eyes and you just have to talk to them. This was the exact situation this day. As irritated as I was, I let out a graceful grin and finally decided to ask why I was been labeled badass.

At some point I was starting to think my name was ugly or sounded like Nehemiah, Ezekiel or Abednego.

‘Well Beth, you know, ‘it’s never that serious. You are just a strong lady,’ he mumbled.

Evidently, it never occurred to him I would question his mortifying behavior. Please correct me if I am wrong but since when did badass become a synonym for strength? Is badass even an English word? This is exactly how we all assassinate grammar.

My friend Job is one of those men who believe women are trophies. An unapologetic chauvinist. Besides looking pretty and being taken care of, he believes nothing more should be expected from women.

Being a feminist, my most natural reaction would be prejudice, but like they say the best way to beat your opponent is by learning the ropes of their game.

If I could pretend for a moment to understand what Job really meant, even if it means jeopardizing my IQ. I presume by badass he meant the following :-

That I am hardworking and aggressive. Coming from the independent school of thought I ascribe to, I firmly hold that women should yearn to have heir own no matter how little it is. There is an unspoken satisfaction that comes with earning your coin. I can’t begin to break it down, it’s better when felt.

Women should have equal rights with men. PERIOD! That’s as far as I unfold this statement. Feminism is the trend; if you’re not one then you’re as good as non-existent. I would hardly be surprised if newly borns were named Feminist Achieng, Feminist Njeri. Doesn’t it just sound authentic? Opportunities should be equal for all and that includes chores in a contemporary modern family.

I loathe statements like ‘wachana na huyu, ni mwanamke,’ ‘wewe ni mwanamke hufai kufanya hivyo,’ what does that even mean? How is it even legal? That a woman shouldn’t do some things but apparently it’s okay for men to do it? This is obviously something I can’t begin to comprehend. All I know is that ‘mwanamke’ or ‘mwanaume’ stops at the biological nature. The rest I consider as gender violation.

Funny how a woman‘s stared at when she walks into a bistro on her own. Apparently according to society, she should be accompanied by a gentleman, preferably so that he can pay up the bill. Where is this written? If I wake up and decide to have glass of wine I’ll walk into a bar and buy myself one ON MY BILL. It’s the 21st century. We should all be liberal.

I do not run away from a fight. Please note, I do not put myself in confronting situations but if a need to defend myself arises, I will do exactly that. I leave it at that for you to soak.

Dear Job, this is why you probably call me ‘badass’. You might however need to check with you dictionary and replace the word with independent or self-defined. If this proves too much, then please stick to strong. Thank you!