Tuesday, September 24, 2013

A tribute to the victims of Nairobi Mall Attack



For the past few days, I have been following up with the sad news of the attacks in one of the malls in Nairobi, Kenya. A gang of ten plus men entered the mall on a busy Saturday morning and started shooting at innocent people who included children and taking dozens of others hostage. Up to today morning, there were news that some of the hostages were still held inside the building.Can you imagine being held by attackers for upto three days straight without food, water, and basic toilet facilities? And you cant ask for them since the attackers main aim is to shoot and kill? So you have to hide in a cabinet, room or toilet for the days held without speaking or calling for help.

I cannot help comprehend what the families and the country is going through. The horrifying pictures that were being shown on the screens and the internet were so gruesome. There was blood everywhere. It looked like a horror movie. Why would anyone in their right minds kill people aimlessly just because they were ordered to? The terror going on in the world at the moment in too much.

I have traveled to Kenya last year during our honeymoon and had fallen in love with the country. The citizens were really friendly and made us feel welcomed right from the first day. I had vowed to return there and enjoy the amazing weather, wildlife and the white sandy beaches. The capital city, Nairobi, was well developed and would pass as any other city in the world with its skyline of buildings and shopping center.

According to some news outlet, the terrorists who attacked the mall come from different countries and were led by a woman of British descent. Their mission was apparently to revenge the war the Kenyan government had declared on their Al-Shabaab counterparts in Somalia. Truth be told, these guys are cold blooded criminals. Who in their right minds goes on to kill kids?

Today, am dedicating this blog to all the heroes who kept vigil in Kenya to help the victims. May God comfort all the families that have lost a loved one or a friend. May the country continue to have hope for the future, Amen.  

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Talk with mother-in-law

 Why is it that most aunties and old people insist on asking someone on the issue of kids? I can’t remember the number of times I was asked that question that Saturday at Fred’s cousin’s place.

“When are we going to expect grandkids?”

“When are you planning to start a family?”

Damn! Those questions really bother me. Can they just leave someone to it and mind their own business?

We spent the whole day there and unexpectedly, we spent the night there too. The men had drunk themselves silly and there was no way he could drive us back. We were not prepared to spend there but Fred’s mum really insisted especially on the issue of safety. As the men continued to drink themselves silly, I went inside the house and sat alone in the lounge area. Fred’s mum noticed how uncomfortable I was since I didn’t have clothes to change into and she ordered some clothes to be brought in my size from a store nearby so that I could wear the following day.  I talked to her after some of the guests had left and we had the house to ourselves. She asked me how I was doing. I guessed she wanted to find out if I had recovered from the operation that I had. She offered her assistance to us incase we needed any help getting to any doctor in the country to help us in the reproductive issue.

I was a bit shy talking to her about the matter but she made me feel so comfortable so I raised my fears. I was afraid I wouldn’t give birth or be woman enough for her son. It scared me! When I finished talking, I looked at her and noticed she was crying quietly. I didn’t know what to do so I sat there until she was through sobbing.

She held my hand so tight and she started telling me on how I shouldn’t give up so quickly on starting a family. Most people have issues on getting kids but I should be patient and wait for it to come through God’s grace.  She also told me on how she struggled for a while before she got her first born. She had trouble conceiving and despite going to different doctors for help, she got her wish when she was least expecting it.  
She said all this smiling and I could see the joy in her heart.

“I’ll give you contacts of the best doctor in the country so that he could check you out and rule out any issue.”  She said.

“Thank you.” I said.