Familiar Strangers

In our lives, we have all come across someone new. Whom we've never seen, whom we've never had the slightest idea we'll come across. We've had good times with some of them and made beautiful memories. Some hurt us, we did hurt some even when it was not intentional. Some we're still in touch with, some left by our side and became another contact in our phonebook. Others sadly left, not to another country, not by our side, but they moved on... to another life, which we're promised to inherit once we've lived a righteous life here on earth. They're still engraved in our memories and our hearts.  All of a sudden, they became familiar strangers.

For the two decades i have lived, life has taught me valuable lessons. Some a bitter pill to swallow... well most of them have been like those Double Biology lessons in the afternoon after a heavy githeri( mixture of maize and red beans) meal. Boring and never thought it was of importance until it came aback. They say you can only connect the dots going backwards; it has been the same case for me. But it has been a great journey altogether. Meeting new acquaintances, falling off with some( without burning any bridges), keeping in touch with some. It was all worthwhile!

It has been an exhilarating journey; right when i began primary school aged 7, to joining Njiiri School; one of the oldest academic giants in Kenya's history. And finally joining The Technical University of Kenya. I have met amazing people. Wonderful to be precise. Who have been instrumental in my growth. Learning, loving, crying and dancing i can say, have been a better part of the deal. It's as if it was yesterday when we finished High school and had all agreed that we'd plan a meet up so as to have a good time. Unfortunately, this is the 3rd year.

I have met preachers in buses that drive to and back from our place of residence who have been of great importance in spiritual nourishment. I have met strangers who've helped me a great deal by the sidewalks and never got to see them again. I have met gatekeepers who would give an ear to ear smile as they opened the gate for me to walk through and add a hello to top it up. While young i have been brought up by a house manager who'd care to know how i was fairing on long after she had left. 

We have all had our fair share of experience with new strangers who became familiar. Who as time went by, played a significant role to our lives. Who left an indelible mark in our lives; beautiful ones as well as those that come snatching us from our lives and send us writhing in turmoil. Its still a beautiful world. One worth living and not just that, but one that will be remembered...

I am still marching on, living a day at a time. Hopeful that before i become a familiar stranger to all and sundry, my dots would have connected!