FRIENDS ARE THE FAMILY WE CHOOSE

 


Friends,

 

Please allow me to express my deepest gratitude for all the warm birthday wishes.

Thank you, fam; much appreciated.

 

You’ll agree with me, that the year 2020, has been as treacherous as they come.

The COVID-19 pandemic made it all the worst; many of us lost dear friends & family.

 

For those of us lucky to be alive today, let our hearts be filled with humble gratitude;

Let us acknowledge the enduring mercies of the Almighty Were Khakaba (aka. Nyasaye)!

 

In the words of the Desiderata…

 

“Take kindly the counsel of the years;

Gracefully surrendering the things of youth.”

 

So, if you should miss me at my regular watering hole,

Fret not, the social animal is alive & well; a year older, calmer, wiser.

 

I have carefully considered my battles; my sweat nurtures my passions.

Trust me, head-splitting hangovers are not on the list.

 

In a world bursting with a cacophony of sniffy posturing,

The comforting peace of a few genuine friends is, to say the least, priceless.

 

Should any true friend, venture into my neck of the woods,

I pledge a warm meal, lots of tea, and a hearty laugh.

 

To good health, happy times, and full pockets,

Cheers & Merry X-mas!

 

VO


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE MEMOIRS OF AN AFRICAN SHOE

Image
Shoes have a story to tell... The most heartwarming tales are told,  Not by that new, frequently-changed pair,  But by that single beloved pair that is worn day-in, day-out.  It is a story of long thirsty walks, of scorching sweaty days,  It is a story of pain, hunger, and the struggle to survive.  Above all, that rugged shoe is still the beacon of hope; That if you survive this day, with the shoe still on that weary blistered foot,  There will be a brighter day.  The story of hope is the story of humanity, The very essence of life! PLASTIC SHOES - THE STORY OF THE MASAAI BOY I went for a CSR visit at a local primary school outside the company town of Magadi.  I met this young Masaai boy who beamed the brightest of smiles... What gave him away were his PLASTIC shoes.  The sages of old tell us to walk a mile in his shoes to appreciate his tribulations.  I am not sure I could do a day in his shoes...  The temper...
Read more

MARSABIT COUNTY - DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Image
A few months ago, my employer sent me to the northernmost most expansive, county in the Republic of Kenya - Marsabit. I felt like John Snow when he was banished to be with the Night's Watch, solemn, lost and hopeless. Still, I had heard of long tales of a county beyond the North Wall. A tribe of fair beautiful people, some say, with biblical roots traced back to the Jewish King Solomon and the beautiful temptress, Queen of Sheba. Tales have been told of exceedingly amiable lasses (you should try Ethiopian Airlines), the world famous Ethiopian flat bread they call  injera  served with mouth-watering spicy stews (doro wat) and washed down with the hugely affordable range of beer brands. This Jon Snow is planning on going further North than prescribed by the "Black Brothers" and have himself a feast fit for crows. But first the business of the day. Marsabit town is located at the foot of Mt. Marsabit, about 500 km from Nairobi and 250 km from Isiolo, the la...
Read more

FACING MOUNT KIRINYAGA

Image
I have become a certified village bum; what, with spending a considerable chunk of my life in Kiamwathi, Kinunga, Giakanja, Wariruta and Mihuti being the order of the day. Now my Kikuyu is almost native and my hair is dyed red from constant exposure to the red volcanic soils. That’s not to say I don’t have a life, I certainly do. I recently took a working tour of Nyeri and filed these demented memoirs. Nyeri, the provincial seat of Central Province, lies about 160 kilometres north of Nairobi. The direct route to Nyeri is via Sagana & Karatina but you could also take the more winding and picturesque route via Muranga - Othaya. On a clear sunny day, one may be lucky to see the bold snow peak of the Kirinyaga as the local would have it or simply Mt Kenya. The Aberdares too are visible from several vantage points. The history of Nyeri town is intertwined with that of the Mau Mau freedom fighters and that of the founder of the Boys Scouts & Girl Guide movements – Baden Powel...
Read more