Mrs.O's writing room.

I didn't see this coming. I'm watching Mich trying to spin around and moon walk (backslide) - really hilarious. He had no clue who MJ was until today, now he is asking whether Michael Jackson will come back. Why he is so famous, what he did, if the whole world is going to be at the LA hospital. My memory of Michael is stuck in the time of Jackson 5, "Beat it", "Thriller"and "Off the wall" - Billie Jean, The Girl is mine, Fever, Bad - man! the list is endless. I'm thinking - shiny white socks and pulled up sleeves and how we tried to imitate the look, yeah! even the girls. Reminds me of the day Princess Diana passed away, the chaos, the questions, the confusion, the media buzzzzzzzzzzz. These are events that stands out in my mind - leaving me speechless. Michael was a weird guy, but he did amazing stuff in the music arena and boy! those dance moves will always be BAD! So long King of Pop.

June 21st The clock chimes It strikes another hour Another year ends – begins Wrinkles and scars on this ebony mark a path Each with a story Of Sacrifice and love Of errors and errands Yesterday, I danced playfully to nursery rhymes Today, the steps are intricately sophisticated Sometimes the music blends with my heart beat Sometimes I’m flustered and I lose my step I’m still on the dance floor, mastering this skill called life Drummer, play on Beat the drum, so that I might pass on the rhythm Play on till I can sway no more. I'm a year older today, funny that it's fathers day too. Double celebration in the "O" house hold.

If you were not born, never mind – I’ll just go ahead and date myself. In January of ’86 I was under the table, for the most part. No! I was not playing “hide and seek”, but I was hiding and desperately praying that the army men would not come seeking in our house. Ordinarily Simon and I were dropped off to school and we rushed to our respective classes. Depending on the day we studied Math, English, Science and Social studies: played a little bit during break and lunch time, then had a blast running around after class until we were picked up. The preceding months however were no ordinary months, they were filled with uncertainty. Typically the days started off dull, and just as we were being lulled by the usual, cars zoomed into the school compound. Drivers and parents were picking up their kids, it was rumored that war was breaking out. The country was going through strife, Tito Okello had just over thrown President Obote in a coup and so far no body knew what would happen next. Afte...

A few weeks ago, Sam and I drove out to a Dallas village. I’m malnourished for a better description of the place – so bear with me when I say "village". It’s out there, almost in the middle of no where - lone buildings;- run down, unattended, dry trees, that kind of thing. We were thinking of relocating but the scenery had my stomach twisted in locks. I begun to picture myself speaking sluggishly, donned in an apron, with a huge truck parked in our backyarrrd. I'd be ignorant of events that happened in the rest of the world; then I'd get all excited and stuff to see the city again, I would be opened mouthed and extremely shy. Not a good picture! We visited this one apartment where the realtor wouldn’t stop talking. She was so upbeat like that - like she had been waiting just for us. After business, she recommended we check out this place called "Babes Chicken Dinner house". Apparently it’s the hot spot for lunch in the area. Now, either the location was disc...

It’s a week since term ended for my pre schooler. Now he can’t wait to run outside and play, to ask questions about everything under the sun and to challenge my authority. It's amazing how much he has grown over the last 5 months. When he first joined his class, he could hardly write his name, now, it’s a breeze. He used to throw heavy tantrums when asked to color a picture or do anything on a piece of paper - his life literally fell apart; he was stressed and feverish to say the least. I was frustrated too; I worried that he would be that kid who was always blank in class. Horror stories flooded my mind and the little hope of grooming a genius crept out the window. Ms Dee said, give him time. He has a lot to adjust to; the kids in his class are a little ahead on things, he has recently moved to a new school, he is in a new home – cut him some slack. I begun to yield to that although the strict, matter of fact, you’ve got to learn by force streak kept rearing its head. As I loosene...

June 5th This would have been your 3rd birthday Nziiza. I bet You thought I would forget. No! Not so soon, I miss you, I miss you lots. Feels like you left just yesterday. I look at your dad and your resemblance hits me smirk in the face. Mich constantly wishes he had a brother. You two would have made a great team - interjected with countless fights but good all the same. Shall thoughts of you ever cease? I don’t think so. A mother can not forget the child she has borne. Yup! Still have the cute cream box with your wee possessions;- finger prints, foot prints, photos, receiving blanket and hoods – you sure gathered quite a bit for the hour or so that you were here. I can’t help wondering what you would be doing now, I mean apart from pestering your big brother. But I’m glad to know you are with Jesus and if I keep the faith I will definitely see you again. Love you Mom

Summer is upon us. Not sure whether to be elated or depressed. It’s a fun time for the kids to go swimming and splashing, biking and hiking, rolling and strolling and making big messes. It’s a great time to go on vacation, to visit sights you’ve been saving up for (credit crunch with standing). It’s time for family and fun, beaches and searches, laughing and basking in the sun's beautiful rays. That is all good. But when the girls decide - “Oh! It’s so hot, I could take off my skin”, I shudder. They walk around skimpily dressed “look mom – arms, look mom – legs, look mom – kundishow , look mom – back show”, all over a sudden skin is out there like a problem. And it is a problem - guys are drooling, tripping, whistling, gazing and all that stuff. I once read a report that said men are more unfaithful to their partners in the summer, hmmm! wonder why?!. In the winter you barely see skin, in the summer it’s a whole lot of revenge – the starved eat to their fill. Ever seen a guy moving...

This February I received a letter inviting me to a check out a restaurant called 7 Salsas. The Letter. Too good to be true right?! I was amazed by Robert’s business sense. Would any restaurant owner in Uganda ever consider doing this? All he asked was for us to give him a try. When our anniversary swung around, we took Robert up on his offer - (I know, it’s like 4 months later but you know how life is). There was a young lady/girl looking all cute and pretty at the door, she welcomed us with a smile and ushered us to cozy seats at the balcony. It was a nice cool evening and people were just beginning to trickle in for dinner. A waiter immediately came over with chips and a spicy warm salsa dip – mmm good! As we munched and engaged in small talk, the manager made his way to our table; He welcomed us again and offered two margaritas on the house – sweet!! Sam ordered a Cha-cha Chimichanga (A giant flour tortilla stuffed with rice and either chicken or beef. Topped with chile con queso, s...

"Oh, they say when you marry in June, You're a bride all your life. And the bridegroom who marries in June Gets a sweetheart for a wife". Yeeey! It's 8 years today since Sam and I made the oath "to have and to hold" . For better for worse - yup For richer for poorer - that too In sickness and in health - we came through I'm always delighted when the month of June rolls around. It's not only a mark that the year is almost half way done but birthdays and anniversaries are here. Sam and I couldn't have gotten married or been born in a better month. Our love grows And on Christ the Solid Rock we stand. There is so much to say and yet this time I'm sort of speechless. But I thank God for His presence in our lives, the gift of Mich and the way He watches over our marriage. I give God the glory!