🌌 HOW WE LOST HIM
By Chidimma Placid Nwaka
Sometimes, you just don’t have to raise high hopes about tomorrow.
He died on a cold night after promising to take us out of the village to a world I had only dreamed of.
Uncle Travis, my favorite uncle, was a traveler. He toured countries just to visit their zoos and parks, writing stories along the way.
But what made him special to me? He never stopped reminding me to count my days and make each one meaningful.
One Easter, everyone came home. And so did Uncle Travis, with a pet just for me.
He knew I loved the bunny portrait in his room, so he brought me a real one.
A soft, grey bunny. I called it Grey.
Easter felt different that year. Warm. Joyful.
But that joy didn't last.
After our usual supper roasted snails and watermelon smoothie Uncle Travis broke the silence:
“Would you love to see another part of the world, Virginia?”
Without thinking, I said yes.
He smiled and said,
“I’m traveling to Egypt tomorrow. I want you to come with me.”
Grandma Fay asked, “Why tomorrow of all days?”
“If I don’t go, I might lose all my readers,” he said.
Later that night, he sat on the roof, watching stars. I joined him.
“I wish tomorrow would come in a blink,” he said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because tomorrow gives us another chance to ease today. I’ll visit Pharaoh Ramses’ corpse.”
“But why worry so much about tomorrow?”
“Because I have to. Don’t worry, Virginia you’ll get to plan yours.”
But Grandma always told me; 'plan today, leave tomorrow to God.'
We watched the stars and whispered goodnight.
That was the last time I spoke to Uncle Travis.
He didn’t witness Easter Sunday.
He worried about tomorrow, but tomorrow never came.
🕊️💔
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