Dear Bro Sol

Two years ago, when l was drafting this book, I gave it to you to read. In it was another letter to you, in which I acknowledged that we would soon, inevitably, be reaching the end of our journey together. Little did l know that my prediction would come true before the book would go to print.

On 8 January 2013, in a hospital at a quarter to twelve, the angel of death took your soul from your body, leaving me with your motionless remains. I will never forget that moment as long as I continue my human journey alone.

As in a dream, almost all our children surrounded us, saying a farewell prayer. Emotionally l did not want to let go, but l knew l had to respect the process of death. I had to give you over to the cold earth, where you were buried, deep down, in a wooden coffin.

My grief can never be measured. I shall always treasure the memories of our union of sixty years. Thank you, dear, for helping me reach this age, for supporting all my efforts and trusting me with what you had for all these years. You never gave me a moment of regret, a moment of doubt or even a moment of mistrust. I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to be a wife to a man who honoured his word to the end.

Rest in peace, my love Manse