allowing us to claimmy father’s body. The situation was further complicated by the absence of a receipt to identify his body, requiring the mortuary staff and me to examine several bodies before we located my father’s remains. I was also pregnant at the time. The shock on my family’s faces when we brought the body for the wake keeping was palpable. Reading his tribute in Twi and English was an emotional moment for me, as I highlighted his significant investments in our education. During my time in South Africa, Yvette embarked on her boarding school journey in the UK. She secured admission toWycombe Abbey School, a prestigious girls’ school. Her determination to gain admission was remarkable; she dedicated nearly all her days, including holidays, to relentless studying. My dear friend Rosemary Orleans-Ansah played an indispensable role in guiding me through the selection of top UK schools for my children and provided invaluable support throughout their boarding school days in the UK. Steve - Johannesburg, 1999 In 1999, cradling him in my arms, I felt an unspoken promise of love and care, a profound motherly bond forming between us. His tiny fingers and radiant eyes filled my world with pure delight. From the very first breath he took, I knew we’d treasure every moment, no matter how big or small. We were destined to watch him grow and stand tall. When I first laid eyes on Kwame Asiedu, the HIV/AIDS advisor introduced by Helen Rees, I couldn’t help but think, “This brother Helen has invited to present the USG-funded HIV/AIDS and Family Planning Project Report is quite attractive.” However, I had just emerged from a difficult relationship and wasn’t ready to dive into a new one. A fewmonths later, he returned to Johannesburg on another assignment with a colleague. I thought, “Why not invite them over for dinner? It won’t hurt.” That evening, I discovered that he was incredibly fun to be around. Our paths crossed again when I met him inWashington during a work-related program, and later, at a conference in Nairobi. It was inWashington that we felt a strong connection but given that both of us had recently experienced challenging breakups, we approached the budding relationship cautiously. Our friend Millicent Clarke, however, encouraged us to give it a shot. Now, over twenty years later, we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’re still going strong. 22 The Birthday Journal
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