You will forever be my best friend

CELEBRATING LIFE

Growing up with Josephine was fun. Being just three years younger, we did everything together, from playing dodge ball to riding bicycles and then secret talks and giggles about boyfriends.

It was always us together. I cannot remember any of my childhood memories without thinking about her because she was my partner in crime, my ride or die!

My sister was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She had a golden brown skin tone even which even sickness and death did not dull.

Her hair was long and jet black and her feet were dainty. I imagine if she was around now, with all the makeup and fashion trends, what a head turner she would be!

She had beauty and brains and excelled in her degree course of Community Psychology in 2004.

We, as a family, were all very proud of her first class degree and she quickly got a job in Ministry of gender.

As a child, Josephine rarely fell sick, but when I was in my S6 vacation she suffered three sickle cell crises which she beat.

 The days leading to her death were a bit dramatic between me and her. She had a black bag I liked and so she coerced my mum to buy me a similar one.

Mine was brown and I did not like it as much as hers so I stole hers when she and mum were away and used it.

To date, I do not know how she found out because I am sure no one saw me.  

But she was so mad at me we did not speak for some days until my dad intervened.

Suddenly we were back together, as thick as thieves. Little did I know that in the next two weeks she would be gone.

When she fell sick it was the same crisis but there was something strange about this one.

It seemed more aggressive than the previous ones and not even the strongest painkillers seemed to work.

She started complaining about all her teeth paining and my mum sent me back home.

When I tried to resist, Josephine told us not to quarrel. The way she said it was so earnest that I am convinced she must have known she was going to die.

It was her way of telling us to live peaceably.

That night my father did not come back home - a rare occurrence.

At about 6.30am my younger sister answered the phone and I heard her screaming, "Josephine is dead!" and in my deep sleep I thought I was dreaming!

It is been 16 years now and the sorrow still lingers. I dream about her often and wonder what she would have been today.

Perhaps married with her own children it hurts me to see that she is not here to see that now I am a mother, she has two nephews.

She is not here to see what we have all become as a family and I can never celebrate independence day the way I used to.

 We miss her so much as a family and I pray she rests in eternal peace.

Dearly missed by Daddy, Mummy, your siblings and your best friend and sister, Flavia Angela Namwanje.