A pal once challenged a common outlook many of us have. We were chatting and I retorted that life is short to underline my point. She quickly interjected and said that it was not. I was puzzled because I hadn’t heard someone say that life is long apart from at the funeral of an elderly person where we celebrate them for living a long life. My son often prays that Sir God would grant us a very very (his emphasis) long life. His prayers are usually not blue-ticked (seen but no response) so we shall likely grow to a ripe old age. Like a fine single malt hehe

I’m moving my family to higher ground (and not because of the current flash floods in Nairobi hehe) after almost a decade in one location. We have lived in a nice old house that has accumulated good memories over the years. An aunt of mine once told me to make every place we live home. That’s made more of relationships than brick and mortar. Some transitions have a way of informing you that it’s time to move. This is one of those. For some time my clan has been feeling that we have outgrown our current abode. I was the last to board the symbolic moving truck. Looking forward to the new place and hopefully no sumbua (difficult) neighbours. Even Spike our dog seems eager to go claim a new territory hehe.

You only realise how much stuff you have accumulated when moving house or office. Life has a way of rewarding us with a certificate here, some new clothes there and additional sufurias as the years go by. Then add the kids with all their school projects and books. I see it as a good thing as it’s a sign of growth and movement.

We started packing stuff in boxes and as we dug through the store a toy was pulled out. It was such a throwback because it was used by my youngest baby shark when she was learning how to walk as a baby. We’d finya (press) some buttons and they would light up in all sorts of colours. Then when she began pushing it it would play some baby shark melodies. She quickly learnt how to walk and hasn’t stopped since.

I asked her this week to walk with it just for me to see a replay of 8 years ago. She has long legs like her dad so it was hilarious seeing her bend over to reach the walker and mimic how she did it when 2 feet off the ground. I looked at bobo pushing that thing and I was amazed at how much she’s grown over the years. Maybe because I see her daily it didn’t hit me that she’s grown fast and furious. Kids grow like weeds but so do we all.

I also unearthed a journal I was scribbling way back in 2011. As I went through it my eyes almost started sweating as I read through stuff I was going through that’s now a distant memory. Folks, do you feel like life moves slowly when in the grind? Parenting feels like a forever game. Like it will never end as far as the heavy lifting is concerned. I envy guys who talk of parenting in the past tense when their kids were small and under their roof. It feels like I will never get there.

The realization of this move has encouraged me to keep going. We aren’t where we began. We have made some good progress and momentum is picking up nicely as we all grow together. My goal to be where my feet are has received a boost with this move. I need to be more present and engaged in the seasons of life as my family grows. If we are too fixated (read worried) about the future then we miss the present. And once it passes we have lost that moment kabisa. It would be like moving back to an old house that we have outgrown. At least that’s possible though unlikely. As for time we can rewind.

Folks may we live fully in our current homes and seasons. Decorate our lives and homes to maximise our stay and create positive moments and memories to keep us going. So when the time to hama (move) comes we will be eager to put a pause, load the truck with what we need, move and unpack then press play for life to continue unfolding. May we have the wisdom also to know what to give out, throw away and carry with us. Clutter is a real enemy of progress both in our homes and lives.

I now feel like life is moving fast but we can’t see the speed. It’s like being in a high-speed train and you feel stationary when inside. You arrive at your destination and wonder how fast you got there. The only way to see that you are moving is by looking out the window and noticing your surroundings speeding in the opposite direction. Maybe that’s how to live a good life. Be still and present in the moment as you notice progress and development along the way.  

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3 thoughts on “Time Flies Slowly.”

  1. Geff says:

    My brother! Your writing always has a way of touching the heart. The way you describe the journey of moving and the memories attached to your old home is both nostalgic and inspiring. By the way, housewarming ni lini? He He!
    Your reflections on being present and cherishing each moment are truly profound. It’s a beautiful reminder to always appreciate the little things and the growth we experience along the way.

  2. Liz Mbuthia says:

    My life had to fit in 3suitcases when I relocated. I totally hear you and especially on the clutter.
    Congratulations on your move. Hiyo house warming tuambiwe ni lini.

  3. Andrew Waititu says:

    Thanks Lucas…this was just what I needed to read today. God has been faithful to us as we live with the best neighbours ever! We are living the fullest in our current but also habour some desires…hence our prayers to Sir God. Meanwhile, we are available to kula some nyamchom as we warm your new abode.

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