Running With My Brother.

So about three weeks ago my sister organized a family lunch for all the Marang’as. She was to come with her two beautiful daughters one of whom schools majuu and was here on holiday. My brother also lives Majuu with his supu family. I think every family WhatsApp group has a sub-group for siblings. Once the venue and time were locked we discussed it as siblings. My brother confirmed the lunch, but it was going to be via Zoom for his family as they live in the land of the free and the brave. Lakini even here in +254  we are brave just not sure how free hehe… He even requested that we all wear Sunday best on that Sunday. We thought its just his way of connecting with us so we obliged.

Come the day and we show up at the lunch venue. As we are walking to our reserved table my kijana sees a teenage girl at our table and mentions that she looks like my bro’s daughter. Of course, I dismiss him saying he’s just seen a pretty girl. A few steps forward and indeed it was my niece at the table. And she’s indeed a beauty. And next to her was her brother, mum, and my bro. It was like a good dream. The fellow and his family knew they would join us in person for that lunch but chose to surprise us. After the reunion hugs and kisses, we all sat down to eat as we chatted animatedly.

It’s been almost a month of having him and his family in town and what a joy it has been. My niece and nephew have grown into fine small adults. Seeing them bonding with their cousins has been heartwarming. It’s been a warmer July thanks to them being home.

My brother and I like running though he is much fitter than I am. He’s run a few full marathons and several half marathons. I have only run a few half marathons and never a full one. I recently joined a running group that runs 10 kms on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 am to 7 am. Now that my baby sharks are home for the holidays I decided to run with these guys since I don’t have the school drop in the morning. I hardly run in the morning but decided to try this time. It was cooler and calmer as life is just waking up around you. I enjoyed it more than my evening runs. Even the air is less polluted and the birds chirping cheers you on.

I invited my bro for my second run with this group and he accepted to join me. He’s a morning guy so picking him up at 5.45 am wasn’t difficult. We arrived at the gathering point before 6 am. My bro and I were the only 10 km runners. The rest chose the 5km run. So after the route briefing, the two of us jogged off.

We set a good pace and once in it, we would share random thoughts as much as our breath would allow us. I spoke less because I was trying to keep up with him. He is heavier and faster than me. It was a bonding run. It was special running alongside this great guy in the leafy suburbs. Plus it was our first time running together.

Running is good because it has a sense of zoning your mind. I process stuff when running and even murmur aloud just to get clarity on whatever is on my mind. I feel Levi was doing the same too. We are still adjusting to life without our Mzee and being with him that early morning doing what we both love was comforting to me. It was a reassurance of sorts that I still have my brother, who resembles our mzee in more ways than one. That moment reminded me of a quote I once heard of someone complaining that they had no shoes until they met one who had no feet. Our dad may not be with us but I still have my brother (mum and sister too). So my glass is half  (maybe three-quarters) full not half empty.

Folks maybe sometimes it helps when we appreciate, focus on, and nurture what we have instead of gazing at what we don’t have. What we have is then magnified and life gets more satisfying despite the absence or loss of what we once had. Contentment is wanting what we have. That’s what this run with my brother made me feel. I wish we could do a few more runs but when folks from abroad come home they find a whole lot of errands and people waiting for them to attend to. My mum was particularly happy to see her son and his family.

I actually didn’t have a story for this week but that run with my bro just made me see him differently. And so this article is a tribute to a great man who I’m honored to call my brother. Maybe sir God made him so cool that He gave me only one coz I couldn’t handle two. I appreciate you brother. Keep running the race and may every stride get you closer to the life you desire and deserve. Nakupenda bure.

Folks wacha I give you some homework. Try and run (or find your equivalent) with your sibling in the coming week. It just might bridge that gap or strengthen the bridge.