Freda Omaswa - A Life Well Lived

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I visited a funeral home for the first time to celebrate the life of a pretty girl called Freda. 
She was a doctor, a wife and a daughter but to me she was just Freda - a friend I got acquainted with in September of 2014.

I arrived early to a friend’s birthday lunch and she walked in shortly thereafter. We introduced ourselves and spent close to 45 minutes talking about life since relocating to America, about intermarriage among people of different ethnicities. We discovered we were both from Teso land. Sitting in that restaurant and waiting for the birthday girl we had a lot to talk about.

I was struck by her grace; her sweet smile and I loved the way she raised her eyebrows when she talked. There was an excitement in her spirit. She expressed her ideas with clarity and precision. Talking fondly about her husband and her parents back in Uganda.

She didn't mention she was undergoing chemotherapy. That some days were dark, that she had stage 4 colon cancer.
I didn't mention that I knew. That the birthday girl and I prayed for her often.

She was careful about her dash, you know? The little flat line that sits between the years of life: 1982 - 2016. She was careful without effort. I soon forgot that she was unwell and enjoyed good laughs with her and her humorous husband at yet another party.

I got news of her death on Monday and on Monday I found out she was a sister to a good friend. A daughter to a well-known Professor in Uganda. It seems to have slipped through the cracks. I wished I had known but I'm glad I didn't because she was large all by herself, she left a mark all by herself.
Tonight as Dr. Omaswa talked about her daughter I couldn't agree more. She was kind, selfless, graceful, elegant and confident. Large!

I met her at the end of her dash. She finished it straight.

Tonight I think of Paschal her husband of 2 years, Professor and Dr. Omaswa her parents, Mark her brother and Gloria her sister and my dear friend.

May Freda's life be celebrated always.
#WeloveFredabecause: Beauty shone from her soul and her bright smile. Her quiet spirit resounded with wisdom. Our friendship brief and sweet.

Freda's body will be laid to rest on the 10th of February 2016 in Ngora district.
Freda shares her diagnosis and battle with Colorectal Cancer


Comments

  1. jlrohrer802:20 AM

    This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts about our dear friend that we have in common. Peace to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs.O9:35 PM

      Thank you jlrohrer80. She was a wonderful lady and will always remain special in our hearts. Thank you for visiting my page.

      Delete
  2. Kate4:36 AM

    That was Freda...very kind soul, very thoughtful of others even when she herself was not well. She cared that others were well. It's been one long year since she passed..i pray that God receives her in His loving arms where she belonged.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mrs.O8:48 PM

      Kate, thank you for the kind comment. We will always remember her beautiful spirit. May her soul rest in peace and may we strive to live each day as though it was our last.
      Thanks for visiting my page.

      Delete

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