“Nimu! Uka ngwiri rugano, Todo niukwenda umenyage….”
(Nimu! Come I tell you a story that is good for you to know) her Mom called in an endearing firm voice.
Hadithi Hadithi? “Hadithi njoo” all the students eagerly looked up with anticipation, ready for what was to come, as the Swahili teacher made the announcement for story time
Jo come! Come quickly I tell you a story…you will never guess what happened to me ….” Said her best friend with intrigue.
Jo loved to hear a story, read it and experience it. Listening to the storyteller was an absolute joy. She could vividly imagine their thoughts and feel the emotions as they transported her into their world. The characters were truly captivating, and the plot kept her engaged with its unexpected twists, all leading to an unforgettable grand finale.
As the storyteller opened up about their life, and as they shared, it felt like the weight of challenges lifted, laughter echoed louder, and the bonds among them grew stronger. To this day, “Hadithi” (story) remains a beautiful word and a cherished experience to share.
From a young age, the dream and desire to share and write stories came to life within her. She had the listening ability to soak in every detail of a story, a wild imagination that occasionally led to some misadventures, and a connection for those writing projects at school known as “Compositions” that inspired her creative spirit.
Her Mom possessed a wonderful talent for weaving relatable stories and illustrations while imparting important lessons. Her ability to craft captivating narratives, where the behavior to be learned or corrected took center stage and ultimately led to a valuable lesson, was truly remarkable. It never failed to surprise and uplift Jo. Among those memorable tales were the timeless classics of, “Kobe na Sungura” (Tortoise and Hare).
One day her dad, whose work took him on adventures around the world, noticed Jo shared his deep love for books. In a heartwarming gesture, he decided to nurture this love by gifting her a wide array of hadithi and culturally diverse books inspired by his travels. Whenever Jo opened one of those books, she would eagerly immerse herself in the stories. Time itself would seem to freeze, waiting patiently for her to return to the present. What truly captivated her were the pages that many might overlook—the author’s notes, acknowledgments, and forewords. In those moments, it felt as if she was forging a personal connection with the author, which made her reading experience all the more enjoyable.
Shortly after, she would excitedly rush to her Dad, eager to hear more about his adventures. He would gladly recount a few hadithi moments and then say with a smile, “If you want to know more, read the book.” And so, she did! Through the pages of those books, she went on countless adventures, escaping into vibrant worlds and getting inspired to conquer challenges with every turn of the page. Reading became her passport to knowledge and endless exploration.
Seasons came and went, each offering its own unique blend of brightness and fun, as well as moments of storminess and challenge, which tested her sense of self, her beliefs, and her values. But in every season, she found solace and inspiration by picking up a good book, one that resonated with the wisdom of that particular season. The greatest of them all being the Bible and its amazing stories of God’s Love.
In every season, she chose to live in her Joyfull Excellence; Just Observe Yourself Finding and Unwrapping Life Lessons with Excellence.
Hadithi Hadithi!