REFLECTION STORIES &THOUGHTS

               I must confess growing up was tough under the umbrella of my dad. We called him Dad, but he was referred to as Mzee Nyakenyanya, the tough man. He is a disciplinarian by nature so you can imagine what paraphernalia he had for discipline. A bamboo stick hidden behind his bedroom door. My elder sister was brave and could try to wrestle when the lashes came down, but not me. I hated being caned and preferred to be the humble obedient girl. Sometimes I look back to how he shaped us and smile because without his strong principals we will not have made it to who we are.           He has four girls ...that meant molding each one of us to become unique and responsible at the same time. He had no worries about my big brother and the last born for after all they were men and were required to be strong and protective of their sisters. We loved to play, but we had to do it focused on the time. You see, time was what...

As black as charcoal Charcoal that is like tar Tar that paves way for someone black Black child of a black continent Continent that has disappointed people People with no hope Hope that has become an illusion Illusion that is unmeasured Unmeasured hopelessness, unmeasured injustice Injustice in what to do and think Thinking has become difficult Difficult to fathom and imagine Imagine a time of laughter Laughter that once made life bearable Bearable to live and adjust Adjust to the changing times Times are hard for everyone Everyone looks tired and emaciated Emaciated from all hate and anger Anger directed to that which cannot change Change we hope for For we hope to embrace the outcome Outcome might be favorable or not Not because we want to To accept change is to be wise

Life had been unfair to her. She did not question God, but kept the faith believing in the old adage that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. She was standing at the bus stop with no idea where she was headed. She smiled at the men who looked at her and looked down when the ladies passed by because she knew what they were thinking. The men looked at her beauty and wished they had her, but as for the ladies they looked at her tattered clothes and wondered why she would look the way she was. Maria had been married once and blessed with three children whom she worked for tirelessly at the Jangu Mall. They were now her past, a mirror reflection of how life can give you happiness one day and take it all the next day. She believed in what Solomon wrote in Proverbs, God’s book that she had neglected for a while now. But the beauty of it all is that she had known it at heart at one time and the verse that inspired her to wake up from her slumber stated: "It's all vanity...

FEAR WITHIN I stare into oblivion, Anxiousness eats me inside, Stomach churns, I clench my jaws. I want it to be successful, I want it to make me smile, Yet fear dulls me up, I can only hope and pray. The news start to stream in, I wait nervously, She has emerged, All beautiful and cordial, I stare in disbelief, A laughter escapes me, "Welcome to the World".

1 It was morning again, The bird’s rhythmic sounds rent the air, The crowing of the cock woke the humans, Grandma was out milking. I was getting up when I saw it, I screamt out of sheer anguish, Grandpa called after me, Mamma ran to my room. I stared at her perplexed, She saw it then and smiled, She looked so happy, You are now a woman!. I was confused, I felt dirty, I could not hold back the tears, Her words resounded, “She is now ready!” Grandma sang that day, Mamma laughed all day, Grandpa drank Chang’aa over and over, Pappa roasted the meat in the afternoon. I heard them whisper, He was coming at last, To get that which he had promised, I kept to my room. Visitors filled our homestead, The party began, Everyone danced and sang to the music, I remained in my room distraught. Mamma came after me, My favourite Cousin Joy at her side,...

   By Rosyline Gechemba N. It is ridiculous how teenagers are succumbing to lifestyle diseases in their hay years. Teenagers are supposed to be energetic, passionate, rowdy, intelligent and all those good qualities. However, some are just bored, sullen, tired and fed up with life that all they can do is watch TV all day. It is pretty sad to look at the statistics, to know that a teenager is going to die because he was too exhausted to exercise or live a healthy life. Causes of Lifestyle Diseases Type 2 diabetes,  cancer, heart diseases and obesity are some of the common lifestyle diseases that have emerged in recent years. These diseases are brought about by the lack of exercise, poor diet, lack of sleep and behavioral factors such as unsafe environment and stress and poor living conditions at home. Lifestyle diseases are preventable diseases and should not be the cause of worry in many countries. One would think that with the advancement in technology ...

Losing a loved one is painful, Painful because of the memories, Memories taken for granted, Granted but not intended, Intended that you be friends forever. We should appreciate each smile, Smile that turns into laughter, Laughter that makes our life bearable, Bearable when they are gone. Today all I have are photos, Photos of you, You with a kind heart and soul, Soul that I now pray for. May you find rest, Rest till we meet again, Again in eternity, Eternity in God’s light.