If you’re reading this, you obviously made it to 2019 and I hope you took a moment to thank God for blessing you with another year! I spent New Year’s at a Family Memorial for those we’ve lost over the last couple of years. Got me thinking about the icons we lost in 2018 too. Billy Graham, Aretha Franklin, Winnie Mandela, Hugh Masekela, Kofi Annan and closer to home, Mowzey Radio whose death I’m still grappling with as I’m sure his Fans are. Can’t believe we lost such a talented artiste in such a stupid way. His is one of those scenarios you ponder over and over trying to make sense of a senseless tragedy. If only he hadn’t gone out that day or if he had just walked away but as the saying goes, “If it’s your time to die, it’s your time.” Can’t forget Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal murder. You don’t have to know someone or be related to them to be touched by their misfortune. The September ferry disaster in Tanzania, the boat accident in Uganda just weeks later and so many other tragedies around the World which should serve as a reminder to us all that life is fickle and we shouldn’t take it for granted. But 2018 wasn’t all doom and gloom. There were many heart-warming moments including the miraculous rescue of the 12 Thai Boys who’d been trapped in a flooded cave. Their lives will never be the same after that narrow escape! My other highlights are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding and the World Cup even though African Teams didn’t exactly shine and we have to wait four long years for the next one. Given how fast 2018 flew by though, it may not be that long! I thought Robert Mugabe was ousted this year when that actually happened in November 2017! And I know I’m not the only one who thought George Weah was elected President last year. Had I been answering Test questions, I’d have gotten those dates wrong! Jacob Zuma stepped down in 2018 though in case anyone is wondering! Away from Politics, I was reflecting on things I had wanted to accomplish and you know how resolutions go. We rarely accomplish all those goals we set at the beginning of the year and before we know it, it will be 2020! Beyond personal goals, I’m hopeful that 2019 will be a good year for all of us. I’m praying for peace around the world and an end to conflict. I would love to not have to read about one crisis after another. Innocent women and children maimed by IEDs and the bombings that leave entire villages and cities in ruins. It’s got to stop. It would also be nice if no more people drowned in the Mediterranean trying to get to Europe. If I had one wish, it would be for compassion, with more people willing to help others and not themselves, and only then would we truly celebrate new beginnings and the New Year!
