The dreaded phone call came on a cold Sunday morning.

“The Queen is no more” the caller on the other end said and I stupidly echoed “the queen is no more” and kept echoing for the next few days as it finally sunk that she was gone.

Part of history now, we would from then henceforth be saying she was not is, was gone to be with -I am really not sure about this part because where do people go when they die? Various theories have been advanced but the reality of it is that you no longer see them around.

Sure you remember and quote them and embellish their lives and eulogize them when they are no longer around, and yes you tend to love them more now that their quirky selves are no longer there to annoy you. They are human after all.

The queen was gone, she had fought hard in the last year or so just to stay alive I mean it is really difficult staying alive when your body cells rebel and start eating each other. It was hard. But when you went to see her in hospital after a bout of chemo she would smile and ask after your health and encourage you not to give up, not once did she complain. This was one woman who could go on and on about things that were wrong in her life much earlier like we all do. I guess we all learn a lesson or two then there are things that are not that important.

I remember the last conversation with her, we talked late into the night way past visiting hours at the hospital I still see her through my mind eye with a face mask in place I had one too the germs were proving too strong. We talked over many things but mostly over the state of our present lives. She led an unconventional life but enjoyed herself immensely we all admired her for that; gutsy, stubborn as hell that is a streak that runs in the family especially the girls.

I do not know what it is about death that brings out the worst in everyone. You can bet we had a big fight over her will. The traditionalists were certain that she was wrong in where she wanted to be buried. Trust her to state that. She was clear about it and the stubborn girls that we are we stood by her words after all some of us wanted to be cremated we said, are you going to go past our wishes just because we are no longer there to defend ourselves? You know there are no two ways about it 6 feet under is 6 feet under whichever part of the world. We are sure she knew about the ancestral land and she chose not to be buried there. Things almost became physical with others stating that women cannot and should not try and dictate what the society should do. WTF!!!

Wherever you are queen am sure you are proud of the girls that you had nurtured and blazed a trail for. You fought well, and this particular fight we fought on your behalf. We are picking the pieces now they are flung far and wide but we will make it.

Rest in peace.