She always gave me a smile on my face when I would see her. Her chapattis were the best (next to my mom’s though she rarely cooks them anymore). Then one day we got a call from another Tanzanian uncle saying that she was in the hospital. After that call we were all scared and I wondered what was going to happen next. My mom and dad went to the hospital while we were asleep. The next morning they told us that she was gone. Our Aunt Millicent had passed away. My brother and I cried, we thought it was not fair for someone so sweet like her to go.
Last Friday, October 17 was one year since she passed. Auntie Millicent was the greatest person and auntie anyone could have. She was kind, loving, and caring all put in one person. To think that she is gone really hurts. She not only cared for her children but for everyone she knew and she knew a lot of people. She is the best auntie I ever had.
Auntie Millicent was more than just a family friend. She was like a second mother to me. She was very strong and she could lift me and at least tried to lift my brother. I remember visiting her as often as I could. I know after she passed away I visited her house a lot. I remember when she was still with us, when I walked in her house, I could smell the wonderful food she was preparing for us and I would always stare at the food salivating in awe and wonder.
Not just family and friends will miss auntie Millicent but also the Twamsifueli African Dance Group. That is right. Auntie Millicent was part of an African Dance Group. All the dancers (including me) shared their love of dance together. They danced for seniors in seniors’ homes and they had a lot of fun. I always remember seeing Auntie Millicent dancing so well enthusiastically and with pride and all the other dancers’ smiling at her. She loved to dance and I will miss the loving woman that made us all smile. I am glad the group danced for her during her funeral service. I also danced and cried together with other aunties in the dance group, my mother included. Each time I hear the song we danced “Kwetu Pazuri” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MWaHQUZBqU), I remember Auntie Millicent.
People come and go, that is what I know. It might seem sad when people you love or have known for a while go away. It is okay to feel sad and sometimes even angry at God because you think he doesn’t love you. God does love you and for some reason (that I don’t even understand), when God feels that a person has spent enough time on earth he brings them up to heaven were they will live forever. One day we will all go up there, but we need to be good and wait until it is our time.
Before I end this article I will like to give a prayer.
You were kind and sweet
I wouldn’t be able to find someone like you
You are rare and I will miss you
You not only cared for you children
But for every one you knew
Oh dear Aunt Millicent may you rest in peace.
She was the kindest person I knew. I will miss my dear Aunt Millicent.
Angela-Acaye