The Senses Surrounding  Life 

We can only be so grateful for every given moment we have enjoyed and continue to be blessed with a healthy life especially in this epidemic crisis world we all have endured over the last 2 years.

If there’s one thing I take from this year’s overview and reflection on 2021 will be the life lesson moments that touched me most.

As a young college student in Togo in earlier 1980 anytime we turn on to GBC ( Ghana Broadcasting Radio  One) if we were lucky to get good frequency, the breaking news always focused on South Africa and it’s darkest moments under apartheid regime the newsman remind as all to pray for the people  of South Africa.  Also in school our history teacher always tried to explain to us what is going on there.

The moving moment for me this year was when I turnon on the news 11 November 2021 and heared of the passing of F.W. De Klerk the former President of the apartheid time as breaking news.

At 85 years old and before he died, the last word in a video recording was that he asked for forgiveness for the pain and  suffering he caused during his leadership. This apology came a little too late as the damage was already long done.

“We can’t hide from our emotions” for it is like a spring of water that nourishes our soul as humans”

Another poignant moment for me was when I just a week ago was present and witnessed my adoptive Canadian father Bill Williams Mougan, a true gentleman, a quiet Franciscan order member who will never do harm to anybody, even touch a fly when bit by one who experienced his end of life; while viewing him in his lifeless state and standing there looking at him there were two questions that came to my mind:

Life: What exactly is life  or the meaning of life?

What do you do with the position you held in this world ?

As humans we are just an empty shell when the spirit leaves our body.

Yes certainly in one form or another each one of us on this planet have a power of position in life; but do we use it purposefully or abuse our position for the benefit of selfishness, because anything we abuse in life we pay the price of addiction for it one way or another.

I wonder if F. W. De Klerk thought about his life and if he just used his power another way like the one he recognised in his last moment before becoming an empty shell as he died. What a different life he would have led and what a different outcome it would have been for the people that suffered greatly.

It doesn’t matter what level you are in life, our respective responsibilities is to be kind to each other and treat our fellow human beings with dignity, the simplest rule of life.

At the end we don’t take anything with us when the spirit leaves our body we become an empty shell!

It’s your turn to ask how can I value myself in spirit by doing what’s right to my fellow human beings.

We take this opportunity to remember and celebrate all those who we lost in our lives and community  this year.

May you take the joy of life with you in your days ahead. Abundant blessings to you and your families in this season of Christmas.

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful entry into the New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 

Honore Gbedze 

TAN