THE WILL WHEELS HER LONG

THE WILL TO LIVE
By Charles Kemboi
At sixty years, many would probably be sweetly enjoying retirement in the countryside after years of work. This is not the same script for Mary Anyango* who until some years back lived happily with no dependants.For her children had moved to the city to work. However, tragedy struck
and the parents of little Dennis and Farida, passed on leaving her to take care of them.
As the sun slowly rises in the horizon, a weak and frail grandma slowly prepares the fire as the children run around. In the not too far distance, the graves stare, a constant reminder of lives that once promised to bring luck and fortune to her home.
On this day, the children will remain at home as it is the weekend and schools are closed. Mary quickly prepares maize porridge for the little ones, which by the way maybe the only meal they have for the day. She quickly calls out the youngest, “Apii ithii mar John iparoni sukar”( Apii
go and borrow from our neighbor John some sugar). Apii runs off into the
distance and comes back with a handful of sugar. The day progresses and Mary slowly trots to the small farm to till her sweet potatoes, maize and beans. Judging from the almost bare land, she
contemplates her harvest maybe little this year. Luckily, Rapuogi Women’s group that she started a while with her friends is ‘a lucky saver’ she says. Every month, they contribute their meager earnings to the kitty for their upkeep and emergencies.
The group, which consists mainly of widows from the local area has done quite a lot over the years bringing development to the village. Most of the men folk and young men spend time in the market and pubs sipping alcohol and discussing the politics of the day. Mary strives to till with the children helping out. After two hours, the scorching sun beckons and she retreats to the medium sized tree for the shade. As soon as she does this, three elderly members of the group emerge from the bushes, glittering with excitement. She nods and smiles at them, with her dark brown gum exposing few remaining teeth. They have a hearty chat and give her some money and food as it is her day to get shares from the group. The following month, it will be another member. By noon, the women leave with small pots headed to the river to fetch water for domestic use.
As the children play, she heads to the market with her small ciondo (basket), to buy a few vegetables and fruits. Within no time, she returns and cooks food for the kids who feed hurriedly. The afternoons basically find her taking a long nap or listening to the local
FM radio. Soon enough, the evening dusk appears and its back to the fire place for the evening meals. The grandchildren, who are 3yrs and 5 yrs respectively, sit down to listen to the folk stories from Mary. For with all her years comes experience. After her children passed on, she learnt to live one day at a time and facing challenges as they come. The cricket chirp
away the night and owls hoot in the distance. Soon enough, the grandchildren are fast asleep.
For Mary, she’s got some long thinking to do; most of it is about the future of her grandchildren after she is gone to be with her ancestors. Well, the blanket’s growing cold and someone has got turn in…good night world.

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