The Love Of Country Is The Love Of Self

Mortals have always known that the spirit of the earth takes flight to the after-world each autumn. During this season, the leaves hanging on the branches would whither and die. The rich green leaves would adopt the brownish color of the earth and fall aground. Indeed, once death enters a domain no life remains. That which is young becomes wrinkly old and die. That which is happy becomes sad and blue. In fact, if there is anything which mortals hate, then it must be the unprepared arrival of death. And why? you ask. It's because, anything that death touches becomes useless. Moreover, who or whatever death touches with its icy fingers turns cold. Every sweet thing becomes sour. Every continuation becomes a permanent stand still. Each sweet dream a nightmare, and whatever expectation a complete abandonment. If only our hearts could continue to beat way past eternity without ever having to see our tears fall.

Just recently, my mother lost her youngest sister to stroke back home in Ghana. A medical emergency, which paralyzed her left body and squeezed life's golden breath from her lungs. She was only fifty years of age with so much to live for. Of course, my mother was devastated by the news that her youngest sister has taken flight to the after-world so soon. Mind you, both of them were as close as close can be. I tried to hold back my tears because a man is not supposed to cry. However, I utterly failed in this endeavor. I simply allowed the tears to flow freely on my face. In my sorrow, I was remembering the countless happy times, which I was blessed enough to have spent with her. Now, I know that we do die to be reborn anew. This is my personal belief and philosophy. Nevertheless, beliefs, no matter how strong and deep rooted could lose their charm and meaning. Especially, when one loses a beloved relative. In fact, those beliefs could amount to nothing all of the sudden. Because at that particular moment, you just want to know why it had to happen?

I could close my eyes and journey back to the past when she was alive. There I see her, radiant in her youth, smiling and seemingly happy. I also see her together with my mother-both beautiful by the way. And all of the sudden, I do understand what my mother must be going through. Her youngest sister, her precious little sister is no more. Maybe both of them had plans to grow old together when they were both little. But now one has left the other without even saying good-bye.

I could think of so many things, which my dear mother could have said to her. But now she wont be there to listen, let alone take heed. The many things which my mother could've done for her would no longer be necessary. Indeed, her passing must have been something that my mother wished that she didn't live to see come. Unfortunately, that day came and with it all the tears of sorrow, which have yet to dry from our eyes.

The lesson that I have learned from this irreplaceable loss is that none of us do live forever. We simply don't have time until the end of time. We might have today, but not necessarily tomorrow. Indeed, we humans are very fragile and our time on this planet is very limited. There are so many things which we tend to take for granted. Things like ourselves, each other, husbands and wives. Also more important things like health, friendship, family and country. The beauty of sunrise and sunset. A woman's gentle heart and man's ever thinking mind. The haunting sound of silence and the jubilation of music. Please let us cherish these things. Because in the end, these are the things which truly do matter. By the way, let us not forget to have fun with each other respectfully and in love. Because really, if you seriously think about it we are all that we have got left to live for and with.