Mafua,
We used to call you Auntie Julie. It saddens my heart to believe that you are gone—gone indeed, too early, like the entire Nchu family and Forcha’s children in particular. You were the oldest surviving child of my maternal grandfather, and your presence was a true guide to the path ahead of us all. Words alone cannot express how much we miss you and how we will continue to do so for as long as we are here. At this moment, the most we can say is: we surrender all to God!
There is no doubt in my mind that you have reunited with your parents and all the Forcha children. Please, Mafua, pluck a rose from the Heavenly Garden and give it to my mom (for I am sure you have met her) and tell her I love and miss her not only dearly but also daily.
Rest well, dear auntie, until we meet to part no more.