My Niece's Birthday

Today is Tomife's birthday! I saw her and her sister at the boarding school in Kent last Sunday. It is remarkable that almost two years ago even as she laid dying, my twin took an active part in planning her daughter's birthday. That is what I still admire about her, her strength and determination in the face of any odds.

I have been busy this week with writing for a group called 'The Nigerian Front' (more on that later) but Folashade has been on my mind. Last Sunday we had a brief memorial prayer at my twin's grave, only close family were there, we focused on the fact that she was not in the grave but remain alive in our hearts.

The pain remains but joy is beginning to break through. That is why today I rejoice at my niece's Tomife's 12th birthday. She is the one who looks so remarkably like my twin sister and when she was younger I used to tease her and call her 'Shade. I share some of the moving pictures we took in Maidstone at the resting place of her remains. Tomorrow I shall write again, the 2nd anniversary of her passing into heaven.