Vivid Memories

Sitting having a cup of Java’s House Coffee, I am trying to think of characters and a plot for a new short story. I am sketching and drafting and taking in my surroundings, looking for inspiration. As I gaze out to one of the buildings entrances, I begin to think about Westgate. In the back of my mind I feel it is still here. Food shopping, the banks, Mr Price, the cinema and our favourite restaurant were there. When I think to myself that I need to buy plates for example from Mr Price, my brain immediately tells me Westgate. Four months later, I still find that it is a topic of conversation every time I meet up with new people.

Here I am now, watching the entrance and trying to imagine what it was like to all those affected at the time. I find that when I am in a shopping centre, I look for places to hide in, trying to determine where I would be the safest. It is an awful but necessary reality to be aware of.

A couple of weeks ago there was an apparent level 5 threat. Fortunately nothing happened, but people are still edgy. I was speaking to a family friend the other night that used to go to the gym at village market- now she is too scared to. We don’t want to be scared, we don’t want to be cowering but the reality of this situation is that there is a possibility that this can happen again and because of that everyone needs to be vigilant at all times. Kenya is a beautiful country, and I am proud to call it home, but it makes me sad that people are worried about coming here.

Throughout the world unnecessary events happen, but people pick up the pieces and carry on with life. I remind myself of September 11. I can recall where I was and who I was with at the exact moment that I heard about it. I was just a child then, but the memories don’t go away. That tragic event affected the entire world, and since then terrorism has been an unfortunate reality.

What is of the upmost importance is to not to let this take over our lives.