The ABC of love heroism: the Dark Knight

WE WERE ALL at Amahoro Stadium yesterday. Yes, even if you snuggled up in bed all day, at least a part of your spirit was there. We went to pay moving tributes to the men and women whose beliefs in Mother Country and what they aspired for to give Mother Country the identity it cherishes today cost them their life.You probably have envied these heroes at the height of your emotions. I mean, who wouldn’t want to die like the Nyange SS students? Who wouldn’t envy the level of nationalism that made Maj. Gen. Fred Rwigema to leave the kind of life Uganda offered him to risk his life for his Mother Country?But there is hope all around us. It is as close as you can take to admire a well-curved figure of a lady in Kimironko Market. Love, lust, infatuation or whatever will make you admire a woman, make a hero of it. Here is how:N: Never judge. We shall start with that. I mentioned the Nyange SS heroes. They died fighting against judging. Now you have Betty with you, forget the fact that she can’t be shortlisted for Miss Rwanda. Forget her ethnic background, and any other shortcomings that she might have. Live with her like she is the last breathe you can’t do without. By the way, the N of love heroism has a lot in common with A—accept your love as they are. When you do this, you justify your heart. That is how you are going to end up at Letter B—believing in her.C: Chivalry. I chanced upon interviewing a couple once. Asked how they met, and it happens that the woman was waiting for a taxi in the evening. This chap drove past, thought twice and reversed. He offered her a lift, drinks in the car and at her home gate, opened for her the car door. He never even asked for Cleo’s number. But Cleo had taken note of the car registration. Days later, she went on a search for the owner of the car. She found him relaxing at a telecom company where he worked. That evening, a date started, and two are now blessed with two children. So, how do you treat a woman?D: Don’t just give up. Now, according to Cleo, that night the stranger turned up as a Dark Knight to give her a lift, she was scared of hitchhiking. She feared she could end up in trouble. But his courteousness charmed her. Many a woman would have given up, but Cleo persisted. Imagine going to the registrar of vehicles to ask who owns a RAC222… she did more than just that and got the perfect reward of a hero.E: I just tend to hate this letter so I will skip it. However, you can fill it.F: Forgive. And when you do this, do so unconditionally. Never say “Okay, I’m sorry.” Instead, say “Hun, I’m sorry.” In the same way you attach letter F to your relationship, do its neighbour G. Be a selfless giver. Don’t be like my neighbour in Kacyiru, who ‘audits’ the Rwf300 he leaves home for upkeep.I: I have run out of space because this column takes in only 600 words. But I suggest you merge I and the letter it precedes to make Hi. It’s one of the sweetest non-romantic word pursed lips can ever utter. So say ‘hi’ more often that you swear, even if you are in the toilet. Above all, do not be a dead hero. A living hero keeps more challenges and opportunities than a dead one. But if you must die, let it be such that the wreaths on your tombs never wither.

Lifestyle

The ABC of love heroism: the Dark Knight