Death is no stranger.

Every life on Earth has a specified timeline and when that timeline elapses, a decline is the resultant effect. Well, "decline* is a fancy scientific term for death and in as much as no one likes to hear about death or even talk about it, it is an inevitable part of life.

Let's face it, death is no stranger and when it visits, it leaves a trail of pain, heartbreak,grief and sorrow. Those it visits have no choice but to live on, carrying only memories and live through the grief. I know this because I'm also a victim of the death sting . I remember it like it was yesterday, when the news of my mom's death reached my ears eleven years ago. She was diagnosed with acute kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis treatment on a weekly basis.

That was a stressful time for my family as her treatments interrupted our normal daily routine of school and work but we gladly gave it up to be by her side, comforting her through those painful periods. The day she died will forever be etched in my medula oblongata, never to be erased. That fateful day, I had prepared some food for her following her strict diet plan of no seasonings or salt in her food. I even spoon fed her then wiped her body clean with a towel and warm water before leaving her to rest while I attended to other chores. I had only left her side for one hour before my brother came to call me.

When I entered the ward, the doctor's countenamce was enough to drive the point home..."mom is gone" I thought as I released a smsll sob, just at the same time that the doctor placed his left hand on my dad's shoulder asking him to take heart before he walked away with a somber expression. I watched my dad hide his tears just to comfort us as he led us out of the ward so as to allow the nurses do their job. My mom's death shook our family deeply but we have been able to move on all these years howbeit, we still miss her especially me. Her death forced me to mature and step into the role of a mother for my younger siblings. This ideology is a cultural norm being that I am the eldest child and daughter.

It wasn't easy for me to fill her big shoes and support my family. I had to cut off a lot of things so as to have time for my siblings. My dad found comfort and solace in his work and would rarely spend time at home. I denied myself certain pleasures, I had no social life whatsoever. All I did was work, work, work and cater to the needs of my siblings. Till date, I still occupy that motherly figure role for my siblings and I doubt that the position will remain unoccupied...maybe till when my own time elapses and Mr death pays a visit again.

I leave you all with this song that always seem to bring back the sad memories.