And the pilot’s voice drifts over the intercom…

Of last words, perhaps?

That it may not be so, I pray…

The flight has been calm for the last three hours. Then suddenly the plane starts shaking. Worse than a leaf in the wind. Simultaneously the “fasten your seat belt” sign lights up. And the pilot’s voice drifts over the intercom…

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are going through some turbulence. Nothing to worry about. We are now approaching Florida…”

How can he be so eeriely calm? I ask myself. And I find myself thinking, that this be not my last day I pray. And if it is, that dear Lord, please my little girl keep safe… As I type this piece, I am thinking… I should make it worthwhile for perhaps this is my last piece… What would I want to say?

I would want to tell my children that I am immensely proud of them and forever grateful to them for being so easy to bring up. Never have they gotten into trouble with the law. They have always respected me as I make demands on them for both scholarly and character excellence … They could have rebelled. But they have made the conscious decision to honor me. To love me even when I fail them… Love you kiddos!! My life would never have been the same without you. Through the hard and good times, you have been my beacon…

Aha… The big bird fluttered for almost half hour…

And we’re back to a calm period. The seat belt light is off. And the captain says we may unfasten our seat belts and walk around. Still I shall post this, for it serves a purpose… Writing always calms me down. In adversity, through difficult times and hardship, through the worst of times and through the best of times, as one great writer began his book… The pen has been my sword…

Of the other kind of love, what should I say? I have loved a few. Been loved by a few. Many have wanted to murder me for not reciprocating their feelings. Perhaps it is my turn to love more than I am loved. Hey who knows… His Ber-ness thinks he is not worth me. Yet I feel I am the one that is not worth him…

I shall stop there while I am ahead… Adios adieu bye-bye kwaheri… See you in a bit…

The flight is smooth again. I can stop panicking and enjoy the ride…

And we are at Fort Myers… Off to claim my baggage. I must remember to watch out for the alligators. We are in alligator country…

Later, alligator…