I don't have many friends like anyone else. I am a normal lady who can live with or live without being surrounded by many friends. All of my friends are all quality friends. I am a loyal friend to all my friends.
Back in the day, when I was in college, I met this person that was super nice and kind to me. She was my sorority sister. She will quickly tell you if you do wrong, appreciate if you do good, and support you without being asked. During those days, it was a day that seemed the world fell to me. I had a problem with my family, my father left us, and I couldn't concentrate on my studies. It was a tough situation.
I worked part-time secretary/personal assistant in an insurance company. We're in the same office but with different bosses. At first, I was intimidated by her strong personality. She was smart, intelligent, and opinionated about what she thought was right. For me, such a personality is tough to deal with. My math professor always assumes his students understand his lesson right away without considering that not all like Math subjects. I was wrong. She has another side of herself that I like the most. She didn't tell you she cares, but her action does.
You know, like a person is not happening. Snap in your fingers. It is time that will tell you. She was my sorority brethren, but I didn't think she'll become close to me and treat me like her real sister. I know she cared about me, but I didn't bother because I was young, then all my attention was on other things like strolling with classmates or board mates, other friends, and school activities. I often turned down her invitations whenever she invited me to go to their farm or attend family occasions like birthdays, gatherings, wedding anniversaries, etc. Later on, I had to be with her because I felt something. When I asked her a favour, she confronted me for not going with her. She was straightforward. I didn't regret it when I decided to go with her anytime and every time. I learned to enjoy it after a while.
We called each other sisters in the organization, but I called her "Ate". Ate Dinah marries a widowed man with three children, two girls and one boy. She treats the children like her own, but contrary to her kindness, the boy becomes rebellious to her husband. Despite the wrongdoing of his children, he sympathizes with them. That was one of the big problems Ate Dinah carries. With all the problems, Ate Dinah continues to love and care to keep her family intact. Her shoulders to cry on were her co-workers. She can't open up with her family because she doesn't like them to worry about her.
Despite my being hard-headed, she continued to guide me, advise me, and support me. Her support was not all about money, although sometimes I borrowed from her for my tuition fees. The moral support she gave was unforgotten and unbelievable. She was there at my college graduation and gave me a Nike tee shirt and a one-year insurance policy. I can't count all the favours she gave. It's hard to recall.
Ate Dinah died in 2000 of breast cancer. Before she died, I went to see her. When I saw her situation, my body numbed. I talked to her. I offered to take care of her as long as she agreed to confine in the hospital. She didn't answer, but I saw her nodding NO. She was then bedridden. Her right ankle was coloured dark brown while her left breast was gone, and cancer damaged the right". Her cancer was terminal stage 4. I messaged her and slowly rubbed her legs, hoping to ease the pain. I stayed there for a while before I left for home. I never thought that was the end. I had to see her a few months after she died.
It was from a radio announcement I had heard about her passing. I was surprised, shocked, all my body numbed. I didn't know what I was going to do. I wanted to fly right away or cry. I didn't know what my reaction would be. The following day first thing in the morning, I travelled. I went to the funeral. I saw her inside the coffin. My first word was, "You Are Unfair" and "You Should Have To Wait for Me". The dark brown colour in her left ankle was gone. They said that was part of the cancer. Her family shared some thoughts before she closed her eyes. She died peacefully and lay beside her father on their farm.
I don't believe in spirit. After the funeral, I headed home alone. While I was travelling, I felt the air was different; it was cold then I felt her presence. She was sitting next to me. When I arrived home, the air was getting colder. Every air hit me, and my skin was all standing. The place was so quiet I didn't even hear radio music. All I heard was the cold air passing me. What I did was to talk to her and assure her not to worry about me. I'll be fine. So, I spoke to her spirit, telling her to go peacefully. I also asked her forgiveness and thanked her for all the wonderful memories she shared with me. Right then and there, the cold air started to go, and the normal surroundings returned.
I'm sure she is now in the hands of our Heavenly Father. R.I.P Ate Dinah.
Note: I have no idea why I blog about her. What's the meaning of this?
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