Dorothy's final farewell
On the home stretch, we witnessed a road accident that had just happened;the dust from the skid was still thick in the air as we slowed down to take a closer look. We were just the three girls in the car and we were afraid of the mugging at the site of the accident. Karol wanted to stop and offer help, and as we slowed down to a stop, we saw people running from across the road to the scene. Karol lamented that Muthuri had been robbed at the scene of the accident the day Dorothy passed, and we sped off as I tried desperately to call the police line. About two minutes later, we came by some traffic police and informed them of the accident afew minutes back the other way. Their reaction to the news was non comittal, but we guessed we had had done our part.
We arrived home to an impatient group of kids and we were so excited to see them. Lakeisha was home too, having been picked up from school that same day. She was inconsolable at times, but we got some of the gifts off the bags and had a couple of smiles from her. I had bought for her some clothes for the wintery cold around Mt. Kenya area, including Hannah Montana sleeping PJs.We stayed up till the wee hours of the AM and Karol drove home at some point in the night.
The next morning, we planned to go to the funeral Home (FH) to view and confirm( for myself that it was her)what she could wear. We also had to edit and print the eulogy booklet, pick up the flowers and the clothes that she would wear, take them to the FH…it was a busy day. We finally went to the FH at 4pm, and we confirmed that in fact it was Dorothy..lying lifeless and cold.How death ages you; she looked 10 years older!Through a flood of tears, we picked out her makeup, perfume and dress…very difficult exercise.When we left at 6pm-ish, she was dressed and made up almost as she would have appeared in life. Back to the traffic and karol’s commitments and the flowers ( very pretty white and green roses) and finally to the hair salon (bad hair do not worth the time and money) and then joined the friends holding the last meeting at the city restaurant.Home again to the kids and friends who had come to see mum and me and those that I missed seeing while away on the day’s errands.Thanks Aggie!
The day of the funeral, I stayed home in the morning with the kids as the rest of the family went to the FH for the final viewing of Dorothy. We get the kids ready and fed and had a pickup at about 7.30am to the pre-arranged meeting for transport arrangements.What a turnout! karol drove us to Meru with the my two special nieces and her friend.We missed the 2nd stopover due to a later start, but we got to Meru at the same time as the rest of the family and Nairobi friends.
The mass service was nice lead by an Italian priest who spoke both kimeru and Kiswahili witha funny accent. A lot of familiar faces from my childhood and a lot of emotion in the speeches from family and friends, especially aunt kagwiria (who had also led the cutting of the cake at their wedding 9 years previously).Dorothy was laid to rest in the garden to the right of the main house with crowd turnout that spoke of what a woman and friend she had been to many.We were so blessed to have known her and shocked to have lost her in her prime.
Dorothy had the biggest smile, so genuine and loving in her interactions. I loved her like my own sister, and I will miss the secrets that we shared, her chauffering me through Nairobi, the drinks and nyama and most of her mothering of her two children, not to mention our shared birthdays and memories of boarding school…
I know that we shall meet again, and until then I will miss you and do anything for your kids. Muthuri, just ask!
