Live deliberately in 2019

Min Atek

The crowds were significantly endless. The speeches as many as they were touching. Everyone had something to say about the man who lay still. A true musical legend in his own right. The children and grandchildren alike spoke about his love for music and his wife. They had been married for 50 years.

In her speech, she thanked the people for coming in such numbers to honour the one she called her friend. Once again I found myself thinking about the life of purpose. It did not matter that there was grief; the man had run his race.
A few days before, we had just prayed for another family who had lost a son under regrettable circumstances. At 35, the extremely brilliant medical doctor, had left young children after battling bipolar disorder. I had never taken time to understand this challenge and had not realised its far reaching effects.

January carries the thrill of the New Year coupled with the pain of many lives lost. I say a special prayer for strength and comfort to the many who had to go through the festivities without their loved ones. Parents who lost children and the many children left behind without parents. Such is the walk of life. Yet we must move on and pick the lessons. The children are away; one is at a camp and another adventurously trying out the life upcountry. This is that time of the year too. And yet we give thanks in all these situations. We are thankful that with each passing day the children continue to grow into their own and become more independent.

We are thankful that wherever they are, they are learning and trying out the many things deposited in them both at home and at school. Like the eaglets trying out their flying skills in the real world, this mother eagle must allow her young to test the wind and explore. And while they are gone I use their absence to ponder on my next move.

January is an interesting month. Soon the streets will be full again as people return from the festivities. Just like that, we shall face another year. How ready are we? How different will 2019 be aside from growing older and perhaps wiser? Yes the sun will rise daily and night will come but what will the stars say about you?
May 2019 see us being deliberately deliberate about living and at the end of it all, may our legacy speak louder than the many mourners who grace the funeral because we too shall be legends in our own rights.