This is something new for us, our maiden
visit, if you will.
You see, ordinarily, we visit kids who are
still under 18 years of age.
We are used to playing with them, the sing-a longs
that makes them so jolly, the candy they so adore.. And don't get me started on
the milk and cakes that fill their tiny bellies.
You tell them about life, how things will
change in a few years to come.
"Mary, be careful with the boys. Do not
play too much with them now like before. Your body is changing".
"James a real man is a man of his words. You have to be a man of your word. Both to others, and to yourself. So you promise yourself to work hard, you have to give it your all. Be true to your word."
Do you see why it's different now? These old
men and women have seen it all.
I met a man who just clocked 104.
Will I even get to 70? With the amount of soda
and fries that I take?!
He's so happy.
He smiles but he has no teeth.
He tells me about the wars. Things that I
only read on my history text book.
He was born in 1914.
He was born before the white man came to
his village.
What wisdom he holds.
You try to imagine how things were at that
time but nothing.
I can't even imagine of a time without
electricity in every home.
No television, and worst of all, No phone!
What do you tell such a person? Who has
seen more in life than anyone you've met.
We're used to giving advice but this time, we
all sit in silence.
To hear what they have to say. It’s a
silence filled with wisdom; pearls of wisdom and tales of happier times.
A lady passes by and stands next to the
flag and starts dancing. She’s smiling. Like she just met her first love.
But am told that she lost her mind some
years ago.
She has no recollection of how her youthful
days were like.
But I can tell she must have been a dancer,
she must have been the life of the party.
At her age and she is smiling like there is
no care in the world.
I envy her.
The place is Mji Wa Huruma. Situated
somewhere in Runda. A pot of Gold. A home for the elderly.
If you too get time, roundup a couple of
your friends and pay these wizened old men and women a visit. They sure could
use the company of some young vibrant souls, if anything, to remind them of the
joys of their youth. Though I suspect you will gain more from the visit than
they will. Also, remember that African proverb, mkono mtupu, haulambwi. It is
also unAfrican to visit a homestead empty handed ;-) 😉
Photo and story credits:
Hilda- A lovely Generation Hope member.