months. I knew she was going to have a baby and wasn’t coming home yet. I was only told the weekend of the burial that she had passed. It was a shock to me. I did not understand it. It wasn’t until after the burial that I realised my life had changed dramatically. When my mom passed away, everything kind of changed, but I don’t frown upon those years. Of course, I get sad when I go through milestones like graduations, marriage, and childbearing. She missed it all. I really wish she was here. Immediately after her funeral, my younger sister and I went to live with my uncle in London with the intention of relocating. My dad changed his mind and brought us back to Ghana. Coming back to my home, I knew my life had changed. It was going to be very different. I was very confused at that age, and it was an emotional time for me. I had to growup fast and become the woman of the house, but those were my formative years and I considered myself a child still, but I took on so many responsibilities. My dad remarried after my mom passed away. I easily assimilated into my new blended family, and my dad and stepmother did a great job of keeping stability for us all. Through it all, I also gained more siblings, which was fun and a blessing. The more, the merrier. In 2006, when we lost our beloved dad suddenly after he suffered a brief illness, this loss was different; the pain was more intense, and my heart and soul understood the value and implications of losing a parent. With that said, I am not consumed with grief that I am an orphan. All these experiences have contributed to who I am. Unstoppable. 7
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