NATASHA’S CHRONICLES: Celebrating life

I wouldn’t want to face these past few weeks again anytime soon because of the characteristics of sorrow caused by death. They have dared me to look at life from a deeper perspective than usual. Being introduced to the shocking reality of losing the people we least expected at the least expected of times, people who were close to us, people who impacted our lives, people we shared significant moments with, people we laughed, sang, danced, argued and lived with, people who saw us grow at different stages, people we cared for and who cared for us… people that mattered…people we loved!Well, I guess at a certain point in our lives we’ve got to wake up to the kind of world we live in. One of my favorite singers, Carrie Underwood stated it beautifully, ‘this is only our temporary home.’ I particularly think that is the main point… for us to keep in mind that life is not promised, that just as we came in, we will go out while facing the fact that we can never understand the reasons God decides to call us or our loved ones home, when or how he does. And that trying to find satisfying answers will never be fruitful save for killing you more and more inside. We’ve got to live on, through pain and through joy, generating positive energy from negative experiences.It takes courage to be able to face the complete odds of life and beating them one by one. It takes faith to believe it is worth it. It takes strength to pull ourselves through, and it takes patience and determination to overcome!The main purpose of this piece is to share with us one thing which I discovered brings more healing to us in such times, and that is celebrating the life of those that are lost among us. Reflecting on who they were and what they meant to us gradually empowers us to be thankful for their lives and heals us with the knowledge that we once had the privilege of sharing in them.This is a special dedication to the families of the late; uncle Victor, good family friend and guitar teacher, Mark Ndayishimiye, teacher, matron and school mother, Ms. Selline Atieno and good friend and schoolmate, Fodie Sanogo. We will forever miss you! Also to the family of Irene Rwirangira and all the other beautiful souls out there… May they all Rest in Eternal Peace. I wish you a world of courage, hope, strength and faith as you mourn their passing on yet also celebrate their life.God Bless You…