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Mum's Final Journey-Thank You All
Mum, last Sunday marked the 3rd Sunday that I panicked @21.00 for not calling you for our weekly Sunday chat only to remember you are in a better place where there is no pain or sorrow...As we reminisced with my brother Paul Njugunaearlier this week, we realised how we both had gotten our lives tuned to reporting to you on weekly basis, sometimes more than once, about one thing or the other – not because you asked us to, but because we felt it was necessary that you were aware about our goings on to get your motherly blessings...We pray that you will continue to watch over us from on high..
Thank You All
My brother Paul Njuguna and I and our families wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for the emotional, material and other support we received from our dear relatives, friends and colleagues in ways we would never have imagined. For those who attended mum’s burial at All Saints Church, Tigoni next to her best half and which, as I said in my tribute, the Kikuyu proverb: ‘We Bury Ourselves While We Are Alive’ was evident in the process leading to resting mum in her little earthly home away from us. Those who visited our homes in Thika and Naivasha, called, sent messages in cash and kind from Kenya and abroad, members of funeral committees and many others, you gestures were very humbling.
Those who attended, thank you. I will mention just a few…..Despite the fact that my brother Paul has not resumed duties after his mission in Somalia, his entire office including his boss Col Obonyo and other colleagues graced mum’s final journey and he was greatly humbled by the gesture.
Though my colleagues and members of Kenya Welfare Association in Namibia could not be there, they were ably represented by Purity Koko and their material and emotional contribution made so much difference towards a beautiful send off for mum. Thank you Namibia friends Jane Wambui,Rebecca Ekuam, Rosemary Watu, Andrew Omollo, colleaguesLydiah Wambui, Emmy Wabomba, Julius Mtemahanji, Hygeia Elva, Nelly Nghifimule, Unomengi Kauapirura, Emily Brown, Josephine Ola-Busari & Kenyans in Namibia that I am yet to know about, for your immediate emotional and material support during those first days when confusion reigned in my mind as I planned to travel home. The Kenya Diaspora Association led by Dr Shem Ochuodho’s material support from people I have only met in our Whatsapp group brought tears to my eyes and made me appreciate the groupings we are involved in. My cousins whatsapp group Mbari ya Edithi humbled us greatly – thanks to Jane Mburu and your siblings and uncle, Wanja Ngichu Waweru and Joe Irungu, uncle Eliud Ngichu and auntie Esther Wambui & sons, Mahinda Kariuki,George Muiru, Joyce Mwangi, Sussie Mwangi, Serah Mwangi-Okeh for your material support all the way from where you live. My costi cuzos Naomi Kimuyu & Dan Mwero, Essie Nthusi &Nthusi Nthula, Grace Ongeti, Tim Muinga & auntie Lucy Wambui – very humbled by your presence and contributions.Sam Gathigi, let your parents know we were blessed to see them and uncle Hannington Chokwe. Muhia Karianjahii, seeing your mum and brother Sam brought such lovely memories from long time ago of friends who have stuck with us in happiness and in pain – thank you. Pauline Muthoni Githara, you were ably represented by your brother Muchai and little sister Wambui though your mum, a friend who has remained true in sickness and health was unwell and could not attend. My Bots buddy Hellen Kunyiha - a lovely surprise from you. Timothy Wambui, let your granddad Numa know we will always cherish him. Caroline Versaik, let your dad whom we will always call Bodyguard as he was exactly that to dad even in times of great danger means more to us than he knows and it was great to see him after a long time.
Surprise attendance of former media colleagues Kwamboka Oyaro, Priscah Kimani & Roseleen Nzioka at the funeral and your kind donations former colleagues Lilian Nduta andPauline Msalame humbled me while my inlaws Muthoni Githua and Esther Ngige were a blessing to see. Former school mates in primary school and secondary schools brought suprises! Peter Mwaurah, you and your family will remain special to us and thank you for convincing your cousin to trust me enough to get me a ticket before paying even when I had never met her – you taught me something about trust that will remain etched in me for ever and I pray that one day, I will be there for you too. Friends Maj Rtd David Karau, Nicholas Mugweru, Sam Mwangi and your family, David Mutonga & Timothy Migwi Migwi Timothy and your parents, Joel Emisiko, and many others I do not know were there – I can’t thank you enough, Muranga Njihia – your family has been close to us and we appreciate them being among the first to be at home when mum was attacked by thugs last October and when she passed on April 12th – we do not take that relationship for granted – we appreciate them. My dear sister in law, Victorina Matsalia, Didi Matsalia, Yvonne Meicy Mats - ever so thoughtful and ready – that lovely meal after the burial will remain etched in my mind for years to come – thank you. My niece Cathy Odhiambo and hubby and kids – your prayers, messages and presence....made so much difference...
From this whole experience, I personally learnt a number of things: people you interact with along the way can mean so much more than you imagine later, that social media friends can also be real friends – thank you Njambi Omondi and hubby - Facebook friend I had never met until mum passed on and sorry for your loss Njambi of your mother in law soon after. I learnt that Whatsapp group members can also be real friends in need – be there for them when they need you as you never know when you might need them – Dr Shem Ochuodho – that was a major lesson learnt from Kenya Diaspora Association Whatsapp group – most of whom I have never met. I also learnt that friends, colleagues we meet along the way, can also be friends in need when you least expect them and some you think are friends are just mates – nothing more – lets strive to be there for others when they need us.
We may not be able to mention all who attended and are on FB or not but be assured that we appreciated every little or major thing that they/you did for us during these past two weeks. Your prayers especially, have moved mountains before and thereafter and we will forever be grateful to you all. God Bless and Richly Expand your Boundaries (as a wise Kikuyu saying goes).
These few pictures from the more than 3000 taken are by Tijara Githinji, Arthur Muiru, Paul Njuguna, Wanja Njuguna and Jimmy Karish.
These songs meant so much during all this time and still do...https://www.youtube.com/
Thank You All
My brother Paul Njuguna and I and our families wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for the emotional, material and other support we received from our dear relatives, friends and colleagues in ways we would never have imagined. For those who attended mum’s burial at All Saints Church, Tigoni next to her best half and which, as I said in my tribute, the Kikuyu proverb: ‘We Bury Ourselves While We Are Alive’ was evident in the process leading to resting mum in her little earthly home away from us. Those who visited our homes in Thika and Naivasha, called, sent messages in cash and kind from Kenya and abroad, members of funeral committees and many others, you gestures were very humbling.
Those who attended, thank you. I will mention just a few…..Despite the fact that my brother Paul has not resumed duties after his mission in Somalia, his entire office including his boss Col Obonyo and other colleagues graced mum’s final journey and he was greatly humbled by the gesture.
Though my colleagues and members of Kenya Welfare Association in Namibia could not be there, they were ably represented by Purity Koko and their material and emotional contribution made so much difference towards a beautiful send off for mum. Thank you Namibia friends Jane Wambui,Rebecca Ekuam, Rosemary Watu, Andrew Omollo, colleaguesLydiah Wambui, Emmy Wabomba, Julius Mtemahanji, Hygeia Elva, Nelly Nghifimule, Unomengi Kauapirura, Emily Brown, Josephine Ola-Busari & Kenyans in Namibia that I am yet to know about, for your immediate emotional and material support during those first days when confusion reigned in my mind as I planned to travel home. The Kenya Diaspora Association led by Dr Shem Ochuodho’s material support from people I have only met in our Whatsapp group brought tears to my eyes and made me appreciate the groupings we are involved in. My cousins whatsapp group Mbari ya Edithi humbled us greatly – thanks to Jane Mburu and your siblings and uncle, Wanja Ngichu Waweru and Joe Irungu, uncle Eliud Ngichu and auntie Esther Wambui & sons, Mahinda Kariuki,George Muiru, Joyce Mwangi, Sussie Mwangi, Serah Mwangi-Okeh for your material support all the way from where you live. My costi cuzos Naomi Kimuyu & Dan Mwero, Essie Nthusi &Nthusi Nthula, Grace Ongeti, Tim Muinga & auntie Lucy Wambui – very humbled by your presence and contributions.Sam Gathigi, let your parents know we were blessed to see them and uncle Hannington Chokwe. Muhia Karianjahii, seeing your mum and brother Sam brought such lovely memories from long time ago of friends who have stuck with us in happiness and in pain – thank you. Pauline Muthoni Githara, you were ably represented by your brother Muchai and little sister Wambui though your mum, a friend who has remained true in sickness and health was unwell and could not attend. My Bots buddy Hellen Kunyiha - a lovely surprise from you. Timothy Wambui, let your granddad Numa know we will always cherish him. Caroline Versaik, let your dad whom we will always call Bodyguard as he was exactly that to dad even in times of great danger means more to us than he knows and it was great to see him after a long time.
Surprise attendance of former media colleagues Kwamboka Oyaro, Priscah Kimani & Roseleen Nzioka at the funeral and your kind donations former colleagues Lilian Nduta andPauline Msalame humbled me while my inlaws Muthoni Githua and Esther Ngige were a blessing to see. Former school mates in primary school and secondary schools brought suprises! Peter Mwaurah, you and your family will remain special to us and thank you for convincing your cousin to trust me enough to get me a ticket before paying even when I had never met her – you taught me something about trust that will remain etched in me for ever and I pray that one day, I will be there for you too. Friends Maj Rtd David Karau, Nicholas Mugweru, Sam Mwangi and your family, David Mutonga & Timothy Migwi Migwi Timothy and your parents, Joel Emisiko, and many others I do not know were there – I can’t thank you enough, Muranga Njihia – your family has been close to us and we appreciate them being among the first to be at home when mum was attacked by thugs last October and when she passed on April 12th – we do not take that relationship for granted – we appreciate them. My dear sister in law, Victorina Matsalia, Didi Matsalia, Yvonne Meicy Mats - ever so thoughtful and ready – that lovely meal after the burial will remain etched in my mind for years to come – thank you. My niece Cathy Odhiambo and hubby and kids – your prayers, messages and presence....made so much difference...
From this whole experience, I personally learnt a number of things: people you interact with along the way can mean so much more than you imagine later, that social media friends can also be real friends – thank you Njambi Omondi and hubby - Facebook friend I had never met until mum passed on and sorry for your loss Njambi of your mother in law soon after. I learnt that Whatsapp group members can also be real friends in need – be there for them when they need you as you never know when you might need them – Dr Shem Ochuodho – that was a major lesson learnt from Kenya Diaspora Association Whatsapp group – most of whom I have never met. I also learnt that friends, colleagues we meet along the way, can also be friends in need when you least expect them and some you think are friends are just mates – nothing more – lets strive to be there for others when they need us.
We may not be able to mention all who attended and are on FB or not but be assured that we appreciated every little or major thing that they/you did for us during these past two weeks. Your prayers especially, have moved mountains before and thereafter and we will forever be grateful to you all. God Bless and Richly Expand your Boundaries (as a wise Kikuyu saying goes).
These few pictures from the more than 3000 taken are by Tijara Githinji, Arthur Muiru, Paul Njuguna, Wanja Njuguna and Jimmy Karish.
These songs meant so much during all this time and still do...https://www.youtube.com/
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