Time waits for no man
A great lesson from my late grandfather Mr Clement Vernon Mjura Mkandawire
The year was 1996, and the place was Phwezi, in Northern Malawi where my grandparents lived before they moved to their newly built home in my family village called Chihoro. My younger brother and I were actually the first two grandchildren in their new home because we moved with them the summer of that year. It was and will always be the best summer of my life, not because my grandma spoilt us rotten, but because I saw a side of my grandpa I will always cherish till the day I die.
When my brother and I arrived in Phwezi the summer of 1996, the first thing my grandpa asked me was how I was fairing in school. Education was not only important to my grandpa because he himself was a highly educated man, but because he was passionate about teaching. Let me tell you a bit about my grandpa. He was a teacher, a musician, a composer, a broadcaster, writer, author, father, grandfather, great grandfather. He accomplished so much in his time. He was a legend in my home country of Malawi. Simply put, he was a phenomenal man. Let me get back to my story. (Find attached at the end a link to an article talking about his life)
I told him I liked a few subjects such as history, English and social economics. He then asked me how well I had done in those subjects in the past terms, to which I said I had done as well as I could but I knew I was capable of doing better. I wanted to get better in spelling because that was what contributed to a less than impressive B in my spelling test. I wanted an A+.
After listening to everything I had to say about my academic record, he said if I was serious about improving my grades in my English subject, particularly in spelling and diction, he was more than happy to work with me through the summer holiday while we stayed with them. So I agreed to this wholeheartedly. But the problem was that being an 11 year old, who was happy to be out of school and looked forward to doing nothing but play all day, didn’t factor in how hard it would be for me to make the time, but also gather the enthusiasm to actually do this.
The first few sessions were very hard to get through. My mind was constantly thinking of all the fun things I could be doing at that moment instead of burying my head knee deep in books again. The hour that my grandpa set aside for me to work through all the activities and tests he had set out for me always seemed to drag. My grandfather could sense that I was not really up to doing it. So he sat me down and gave me a good pep talk. He started by first reminding me that the desire to improve my English academic record was my own, it was not imposed by him at all. He was merely offering up his time and skills to help me. He then said the most important thing of all, which is that time does not wait for man. All the time I was wasting constantly asking for a break or pretending to sharpen my pencil for the 7th time in an hour, I would not gain back.
He continued to tell me if I had a desire in my heart to do something, and the resources I needed were at my disposal, it was important that I step up to the plate and do whatever I had set out in my heart to do because I never know when I would have an another opportunity. He urged me to carry that message in my heart at all times. Although I heard everything he said in that moment, being 11 years old, I gave him the nod, and scampered off to play with my younger brother who in my opinion was having more fun than I was.
As the years went by, I didn’t really think much about my grandpa’s message, not because it wasn’t important, but because as young people, we sometimes tend to think we have all the time in the world, and can at times put things off, thinking we can do them later on. Unfortunately that mentality mentality slapped me right in my face when my grandfather died after battling cancer. I can honestly say that his death weighs heavily on my heart, and let me tell you why.
I had visited my home country of Malawi a few times before my grandpa died, but I never made the time to visit him on most of those trips. I had always set my heart to visit each time, but for one reason or another I would end up not visiting. I would of course would make sure to at least call and have a conversation with him. So when my dad informed me that my grandpa had not been well, I booked a flight to go home sometime that year to see him. My dad did not eventually tell me he had been diagnosed with cancer, so I did not know the gravity of his ill health. I told myself that grandpa comes from a line of men who lived well into their old age. And because he had always taken good care of himself, I reckoned he would hopefully make it for another few months.
But like he told me when I was 11 years old, time waits for no man. Unfortunately my grandpa succumbed to cancer in July 2013. I could not believe the news when my dad called to let me know. The hardest part was that I was going home to Malawi the next month. Unfortunately it was too late. So when I arrived home the next month, I visited his resting place to say goodbye. I also apologised for not visiting him sooner. That is the only regret I carry in my life so far, and will do till my dying day. But I am however comforted to know I shall see him again one day. Plus his help that summer helped improve my grades in my English subject. Thanks to him, I enjoy reading and writing.
So my message this year to all you my dear readers is that whatever it is you want to do in life, whether that is pursuing a hobby, a career, want to mend bridges, improve relationships, improve your health or just improve the overall wellbeing of your life, the time to start doing that is now. Never think you have all the time in the world.
His message shall always ring loud in my ears and heart. That is why I will go for what I desire to achieve in my life. I try my hardest to not put things off anymore.
Reporter, O. (2013, July 25). Mjura Mkandawire 1926-2013: Teacher, Musician and broadcaster. Nation Online. https://mwnation.com/mjura-mkandawire-1926-2013-teacher-musician-and-broadcaster/