Battles in the shadows

HE HAS MADE EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL IN ITS TIME

Five years later💖💞💓

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Ecclesiastes 3:11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

"Mama!" Laura called out for her mother.

"We are ready okay!"

Latoya shouted back.

"We will make it there in no time. You are the celebrant aren't you?" She added impatiently.

It was the grand night of the tenth year  Anniversary of "Forget Me Not." The occasion was one of the biggest event in the year in Botswana Television and several dignitaries and journalists from different countries were to be in attendance as well as her aged Grandfather in law who was now 93 years of age and Grandma Robertson and the entire Robertson family.

"Phillip has gone ahead with Karabo with their daughter, you are the only one left." Koketso said as she adjusted her red and elegant evening dress.

"Mama help me with my zipper! Brandon drove the Moabe family to the venue so please help me here."

Koketso helped her daughter out and smiled brightly.

"You haven't gained that much weight." She said with a smirk.

"Easy for you to say Mama. I want to look great always and healthy too."

"Yes Madam. Just don't become anorexic."

"That's exaggerating now Koketso," Latoya said with a giggle.

Ten minutes later, they were on their way to the venue.

******

There was a resounding applause as Phillip got on the stage. After he was released from prison the previous year, his wife waited with their family including Laura and Brandon outside to bring him home. He had cried worse than a baby and allowed himself to be soaked in the love of his family.

As she promised, Karabo made a great entrepreneur out of her graphic designing career and even obtained her Masters' Degree. A shop was already rented and equipped for his return, from there he worked and continued his new found passion in pottery and traditional crafts as well as painting. His story although brought a lot of shame to his family and upon himself, he was a changed man who was focused on his future and what God wants to use his life to do for others. Karabo gave birth to their daughter Onalenna (God is with me) Pearl Rakwela six months prior and was in the audience, a proud wife and friend.

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong," said Mahatma Gandhi. Today, we are celebrating this powerful gift of God and how it has been used in our nation to break the chains of long standing feuds as well as transform lives for the best especially in our relation to each other. I am standing here today because of forgiveness. God forgave my atrocities, my family forgave me and so did my precious gift, Karabo Rakwela."

There was a round of applause that reverberated through the hall.

Phillip smiled and added, "This same force gave me courage to start life anew and be a better person, son, sibling, friend and husband. I don't know what I deserved to receive Lauretta's forgiveness nor my wife's unconditional love. I would like to encourage us that, let us not get things twisted. Forgiveness does not always mean reconciling with those who hurt us as you have seen with many families in the "Forget Me Not" project because some will never admit their wrong till their death and it is at such times that we display true forgiveness; when we don't get the closure and apology we desire. Forgiveness does not translate to not getting punished for crimes and getting away with atrocities. Let us love not only in words but in deeds so that God can make our lives, families, communities and nations whole. Thank you."