My first two tattoos came from a place of darkness. A hidden darkness I didn’t even know I was in. The first one is a spider web, with a spider inside it, obviously. But it also has a love heart in it. And the love heart is crying. Because … I don’t know why it’s crying exactly. Because it’s trapped I guess, and the spider is coming to get it.

The crying love heart was from an episode of Sunset Beach. Paula got kidnapped and the kidnapper tattooed it near her heart. I can’t quite remember why, except I always thought it would be a cool tattoo to get. And the spider is because everyone has a butterfly. I was feeling rebellious, so I didn’t want the butterfly cliché.

Sun-Peeking-through-the-Clouds

My second tattoo was another love heart. Except this time, it was being strangled by a rose, and the rose was crying. I won’t even begin to explain that one, except to say I’ve been accused of devil worship. I suppose both tattoos were from the space that I was in. I wanted love, I wanted to be loved, but I didn’t think I could be.

My third tattoo is pretty straightforward. A semicolon with butterfly wings. Representing hope and a rise from depression. Reminding me every morning that I’m still here, and that I need to be here because there’s still a lot to do. Tattoo number four is along the same lines. I was on the roof getting some sunshine therapy – or trying to. But the sun was hidden behind some pretty heavy clouds.

It had generally been a miserable day. Endless drizzles with a few moments of sun. I remember thinking this is typical UK weather, and wondering how anyone who lives there stays sane. I had gone to the bank to pay rent, and after zubbing outside for 15 minutes, a nice lady told me they no longer open at 8. Sigh.

Not this branch. This branch is in town.
Not this branch. This branch is in town.

So I went to Nakumatt Ukay, but they only have a Stanchart. I stood there in the drizzle debating my options. I could wait until 9. I could go back to the office. I could try the late hours at Queensway. A watchman saw me standing there confused and asked me what was wrong. I said I needed a Barclays branch that was open.

“Si uende Westgate?”

Hmm. The idea was not appealing. I know a lot of people are happy it re-opened. They’re walking in there gladly, laughing in the face of evil. For me, it’s not that simple. For me, Westgate is a graveyard, a place where people died, where soldiers looted, where money continues to be made and justice might never be found.

Still, I needed a bank, so I trudged my way in there. It was barely 8 o’clock so the place was empty. It felt eerily quiet and void of human energy. I really didn’t want to be there. Luckily, the bank had no queues. I was done in five minutes flat. I rushed out and walked back to work in more rain. By lunch time, I badly needed sunshine.

sunshine

I was on the roof for most of my lunch break, listening to music and playing Candy Crush and Bubble Witch II. For the most part, the sky was dark and gloomy, but every once in a while the sun would sneak out. I’d look up to try and estimate how much sunshine I could get. The space between the clouds promised a few seconds.

The sunshine couldn’t have lasted five minutes total. Yet every single one of those few minutes was as sunny as a day on the beach. It was glorious! It was also funny, because the sun would be so hot that I’d take off my hoodie, but then five seconds later we’d be back in UK weather and I’d have to sulk and pull it back on.

That’s when I got the idea for my fourth tattoo. Because no matter how dark and miserable the sky was, the sun was always there above the clouds, waiting to shine and warm the world. No matter how bad things are, how dark it seems, how long the winter is … the sun is always there. We don’t always see it, but it’s there.

I could make up some story about the moon juxtaposing the sun, seguing the sun photo and the tatt ..  and representing my darkness yadda yadda yadda but it's really just a pretty full moon picture.
I could make up some story about the moon being my darkness, seguing into the light of my new tattoo yadda yadda, but it’s really just a pretty full moon picture.

I’m not sure if I believe in God. This morning, when the makanga charged me 20 bob instead of 10, and grinned at me daring me to fight him, I wasn’t sure. Yesterday when I made an M-PESA payment that refused to reflect at the counter, forcing me to wait for half a hour, hold up the line, and eventually pay cash which means I paid twice for the same thing, I wondered if he cared.

Last night, when I watched a true-crime show about demonic cameras, I slept with the lights on and said, ‘Dear God, I’m not sure if you exist, but those TV demons are really scary, so please protect me and my baby girl. Amen.’ And this morning as I passed the beggar who lost his feet to polio, yet spends every morning smiling, singing, praying, polishing shoes he’ll never wear, I wanted to ask where God was.

I can see an analogy to the sun. That God is always there, even if we don’t see him. I’m not sure I believe that. But this afternoon, seeing the sun peek between the clouds, I found something I could believe in.

No, I’m not going to invent a sun dance and sacrifice virgin ladybirds to Solaris. But I am going to look at my wrist every time I’m really down. I’m going to remind myself that behind those nasty clouds, beyond the darkest moods, the sun is still up there, still shining strong bright. And as long as there’s sunshine, there’s always hope.

IMG-20150810-WA0002[1]

♫ I’m alive ♫ Qqu ♫

114 thoughts on “And then there were four …

  1. I simply want to tell you that I am very new to blogging and seriously enjoyed this web blog. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your blog . You surely come with terrific article content. Kudos for sharing with us your blog.

  2. Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your web site in internet explorer, would check this¡K IE still is the marketplace leader and a large part of folks will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.

  3. I believe that avoiding refined foods will be the first step to help lose weight. They will often taste excellent, but processed foods have very little vitamins and minerals, making you consume more only to have enough strength to get through the day. If you are constantly taking in these foods, switching to whole grains and other complex carbohydrates will assist you to have more energy while having less. Great blog post.

  4. I have mastered some new elements from your website about pcs. Another thing I have always imagined is that computer systems have become a product that each family must have for many reasons. They provide convenient ways to organize the home, pay bills, shop, study, focus on music and even watch television shows. An innovative approach to complete these types of tasks is a laptop computer. These computers are mobile, small, highly effective and mobile.

  5. Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  6. Thanks for your post right here. One thing I would like to say is that most professional areas consider the Bachelors Degree like thejust like the entry level requirement for an online college degree. Even though Associate Certification are a great way to start, completing a person’s Bachelors uncovers many opportunities to various employment goodies, there are numerous on-line Bachelor Diploma Programs available by institutions like The University of Phoenix, Intercontinental University Online and Kaplan. Another issue is that many brick and mortar institutions give Online types of their college diplomas but typically for a drastically higher cost than the corporations that specialize in online college diploma programs.

  7. Perfectly indited subject matter, regards for entropy. “The last time I saw him he was walking down Lover’s Lane holding his own hand.” by Fred Allen.

  8. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you really realize what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my site =). We could have a hyperlink exchange arrangement between us!

  9. Thanks for giving your ideas. I might also like to convey that video games have been ever evolving. Modern technology and inventions have made it simpler to create authentic and fun games. These types of entertainment games were not really sensible when the actual concept was being attempted. Just like other forms of technological know-how, video games as well have had to progress by many decades. This itself is testimony towards fast growth and development of video games.

  10. Thank you for another informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such an ideal means? I have a undertaking that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.

  11. Hi! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My web site looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. Appreciate it!

  12. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website in internet explorer, may check this¡K IE still is the marketplace chief and a large portion of people will leave out your great writing due to this problem.

  13. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  14. Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m inspired! Extremely useful info specifically the ultimate phase 🙂 I take care of such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.

  15. F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I am very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?

  16. Its excellent as your other blog posts : D, appreciate it for putting up. “Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.” by Franklin P. Jones.

  17. Thank you for another informative website. The place else may just I am getting that type of information written in such an ideal approach? I’ve a project that I’m simply now working on, and I have been on the glance out for such info.

  18. Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to grasp so much about this, like you wrote the e book in it or something. I feel that you can do with a few percent to power the message house a little bit, but other than that, that is great blog. An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.

  19. Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks

  20. Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one? Thanks a lot!

  21. Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting equivalent rss problem? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  22. I was just looking for this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your website. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.

  23. It is really a nice and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  24. Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.

  25. Someone essentially help to make significantly articles I might state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual put up incredible. Great activity!

  26. I have learn a few good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you place to create this sort of great informative site.

  27. F*ckin’ awesome things here. I am very satisfied to see your post. Thanks a lot and i am having a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?

  28. A different issue is that video gaming became one of the all-time most important forms of entertainment for people of every age group. Kids enjoy video games, and also adults do, too. The XBox 360 is among the favorite gaming systems for people who love to have a huge variety of activities available to them, along with who like to play live with other folks all over the world. Many thanks for sharing your ideas.

  29. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  30. Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  31. I haven’t checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  32. Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what concerning the bottom line? Are you certain in regards to the source?

  33. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site :).

  34. I have recently started a blog, the info you provide on this website has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work. “The inner fire is the most important thing mankind possesses.” by Edith Sodergran.

  35. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your blog. You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Thanks!

  36. Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good gains. If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *