Dear Daughter,
My beloved Daughter, the day you notice that I am aging, I request you to please be patient with me, but more importantly, try to understand what I am going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times during our conversation, do not interrupt and say: “You said the same thing a minute ago.” Just listen please. Try to recall the times when you were still a little girl, and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.
When I do not want to take a bath, do not get irate or belittle me. Remember when I had to run after you to take bath, but you kept making excuses and pleading that you would not take bath.
When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and do not look at me that way, remember honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately and properly, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day. The day you see I am getting older, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I am going through.
Don’t be anxious, irritated, or arrogant if I periodically lose track of what we are talking about; instead, give me time to remember. Just know in your heart that being with you is the most crucial thing to me.
I was feeding you three times a day before you started eating on your own, so if I fail to eat, simply feed me with your hands. And if I forget to wash my clothes, kindly assist me because I washed your clothes from the time you were small till the time to teach you how to wash clothes reached.
Give me your hand in the same way that I gave it to you when you first started walking when my weak, poor, and tired legs do not allow me to move as swiftly as before. When those moments arrive, do not be sad; instead, just be with me and have compassion for me as I approach my death in a loving manner. I shall be grateful to you for the joy and gift of time we shared. With a wide grin and the same deep love that I have always felt for you, I just want to say that, “I love you, my darling Daughter.”
“YOU CANNOT BURN THE ASHES. UNDERSTAND THIS AFRICA BECAUSE IT IS NOW OR NEVER.” Maximilian Kikwembe, Swahili Apologist
