First Word: Tough times, tough measures

The worst part of doing my job as a journalist was always when I had to intrude on people’s grief to ask such meaningless questions as “how do you feel about your loss”. It always made me feel inhuman, like an opportunist only seizing the opportunity to do her work, which, unfortunately, I was. It did not help that in reality, away from my job, I’m a touchy feely person, the reason this might have been difficult in the first place because then, my personality made it harder for me to separate my feelings from the work I was doing.

I was only so glad when I finally grew to a position where I did not have to do that anymore. Yet, even now, away from the field, I do not seem to have completely dodged these situations. Like when I look at a mother holding her late child’s picture and having to, all over again, recount the pain of losing them to a reporter that has to get me the story, and a photographer that has to capture and deliver that moment to me in the most emotional way possible.

But, these stories have to be told. For in sharing our experiences, we extend our healing and help other grieving persons out there know especially that they are not alone. And indeed, one of the three mothers in our feature this week does testify that sharing with mothers who have lost their children always reminds her that other mothers have survived it and strengthens her.

So yes, once again we did intrude on three women’s grief, who thankfully, agreed to share their experiences, amidst fresh tears at the memory of their losses, so that a mother out there can get some strength from their tales. We hope and believe some good will come out of this for whichever reader that will pick up this issue of Full Woman, so that we will not have opened these women’s wounds in vain.

Then, there is this week’s phenomenal woman on page 10 that got me thinking about how most of us “dodge” giving back in the guise of “waiting to amase enough”. Read Teddy Nakazibwe’s story and I guarantee you will be challenged, in one way or another. And on a merry note, two pages of Kitenge designs to choose from, just for you. Carry the paper to your tailors, walk to the shop and place your order...it is up to you. We have done our duty by you; opened your eyes to how far the African fabric has evolved from being a reserve for our more conservative mothers to a chic funky item you can use to achieve uniqueness and originality, more natively. We hope you love it. A nice read!

erukundo@ug.nationmedia.com