We stand with you, both near and far away, keep you and your family in our prayers, and believe that the sun, it will rise and continue to illuminate and preserve your warm memories too.

Stay well.

I posted the following on the mentalacrobatics site hoping you would read this but since posting I have found your blog. I have now added a poem at the end, written for a friend whose mother died 6 years ago. I hope it is still relevant for you. My father died when I was ten….I still remember him! That was nearly 50 years ago. Take strength from this. Somehow, in unexpected little ways, she will always be there. So, my message:

This morning, in the school staffroom, in London, during my tea-break, I did my usual quick run through The Guardian, and came to Wanjiru’s obituary, where I stopped and read with great sadness of her death, now more than a month ago. I was transported out of my situation to the times we spent together and have been in this state all day, thinking about you and your family.

I first met Wanjiru 24 years ago, in 1982, on the Women’s Film Course held at the London Film Coperative in Chalk Farm. We found we had much in common both coming from Africa and also living in the same area in south London.
Two years later,in 1984, she called me to invite me to join Wazalendo Players at the Africa Centre, to work on Ngugi wa Thiongo’s “The Trial of Dedan Kimathi”. Our children were young - my daughter, Mpho and you, Kui, played the parts of the children in the play. Do you remember? Your brother and my son, Nyameko both toddlers, played together in the creche set up by friends and family (Nich,and Wangui wa Goro) to ensure mothers could participate in the play. Amandla was only a few months old.
What a wonderful time that was and what strong links we forged so that when we used to meet from time to time, with her and the family, around Stockwell and Clapham, it made the neighbourhood feel like home. Wanjiru then became extremely busy, studying, working for the release of Wanyiri and with with Akina Mama wa Afrika and ABANTU. She then left for home.
Since hearing about the plane crash and her situation, I have often thought about her and, if not for the commitments I have had here in London with my own family, I would have packed up everything to go and spend time at her bedside. I was hoping that the time would soon come when I would have the opportunity to do just this, even if only for a short time, to give to her some of the joy and warmth she had so generously given to me and my family.

I shall remember her. I have photographs of her and your dad, Wanyiri, and you and Phambi, sitting at my kitchen table when I first moved in to this house which was then in such need of repair. We were having a tea-break. She came in her working clothes, her hair wrapped up against the dust, and with your dad helped me to paint the walls in the living room, helping me to make a home for myself and my three children; Mpho, Nyameko and Nonkululeko.
This is why I wanted to travel to Kenya; to tell her how much this meant to me. Sadly, I am too late. May your family know how much, by these simple actions of kindness, she will be remembered. May this knowledge sustain you in your grief.
I am thinking about you and your family. Should I have known, this is the poem I would have sent you at the time of her death. May you take strength from it now.
With much love.
Mary

A Prayer for Mother

Mother
As you delivered us
Your children
Across the threshold of life
We now go with you
To that same place
Where we leave you
To journey to
The source of all
From which we each came
Alone
At our time of birth

As you received us then
Into your embrace
Filling our days with goodness
And love
So shall you be received
And our memories
Will be blessings
Inspiring our days
Making our lives worthy
Of you
Always

© Mary Edwards
03 06 98

http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1954578,00.html

Nonetheless, allow me to suggest that while there is certainly a place for faith in all that you will do, in this case, it is your courage born of a fighter’s spirit that is giving, and will continue giving, you strength.

I ‘know’ this will walk you through it all. Heavenly blessings to you and yours.

Stay Blessed always
Sokari