PIKELELA GUTYUNGWA MEMOIRS

These Streets! One cannot forget these intimidating up and down stares furiously targeting the good citizens of this town. Who are these people, these faceless bullies and where did they come from? We used to fill and occupy these streets from corner to corner and screamed all day long as kids. Hey. We feared nothing at all because these streets belonged to us. We will not allow our streets to be deserted in broad daylight as if we’re back to pandemic days! My mother and father were born and met on these streets. I lived under their shadows after they introduced me to these same streets. I grew up on these streets, I know and speak the language of these streets and unreservedly own these streets. These streets gifted me my place in the sun and all the wokeness that comes with my birthright. I wrote these verbs, prose, and verbiage for you because I can.  To remind all and sundry that Pikelela left his footprints on these timeless streets. Yep, these streets are mine, and I own the ...

Standing Beside Myself… The Conclusion! O mortal man, is this your body that you wore on earth? God asked. As I continued to wiggle like a worm in the presence of the Almighty: my pounding heart gave me no break either. You see, no mortal can stand face to face with the invisible God. His divine presence all around is all the assurance you need, to know for sure! There’s no human vocabulary expressive enough to articulate this tangibleness taking place; when mortality collides with Eternity and the Divine! The voice of God coming through my conscience in a still small voice... felt like I was wearing a divine blanket all over my body. Yes, yes, my Good LORD. This is my body that I wore on earth. My voice trembled with divine fear in a worshipping tone. There was no scary fear in my heart as I answered God laying face down. This was thee moment I felt trapped within the capsule of time. Suddenly, time was no longer a passing moment in seconds, minutes, and hours. Time became my world...

Standing Beside Myself! Once upon a time in Eternity, I find myself standing in the Presence of the Almighty God. Whether this was in my dream or seeing a vision, I cannot tell for sure. But one thing I know for sure; this was me, just as I used to be on earth. By standing I mean, no mortal can really stand before God as you would before a mortal judge. I have been to a courthouse only twice in my life. The Presence of God all over me, around me, and under my feet was more real than anything I have seen or felt before! Is this the Judgement Day or just another hallucinating experience on my part? It is easier to find yourself flying when dreaming. O mortal man, is this your body that you wore on earth? God asked. For the first time and at that very moment I realized, I was standing without and staring at my own body! Did I see God or His glorious face? If you asked me, I do not remember any of that. Were you conscious of the heavenly surroundings which enveloped you? ...

  Forever Young! Life, like dedicated football players doing their best to impress the coach: just like God at birth gently tapping your head and said, Go for it and give it your best! Can you see all these vast fields? They are yours for the taking, run, jump and roll all you can: have fun. This was the time when I was new to the world and the world was new to me. We embraced each other and this beautiful world promised to be always there for me, no matter what! What guarantees can you give to me for our lifelong friendship, I asked? You can rest assured I am always there for you, every time you breathe; I pledge you, my atmosphere. I pledge you all the sunshine you will ever need to brighten up your day. The stars will always be above your head to light up your darkest nights. Every time you lift your eyes towards the heavens at night, the moon will be smiling down on you, to remind you about your seasons! Forever young! More than just a feeling, we owe to our fav...

  My Honorary Commencement Address For 2025 And Yonder! It is with great humility and honour to stand before you in the comfort of your home and wherever you are. I thank the Almighty God for inspiring me to deliver this little speech of mine to the entire world. This once in my lifetime commencement address took shape after listening in stitches, to Kermit The Frog; delivering his first ever address to the graduates at the University of Maryland. Yes, I have been a fan of Kermit the Frog and the whole cast of Sesame Street since my childhood but: I wasn’t going to be outdone by the Frog! “As you prepare to take this big leap into real life, here’s a little advice... if you will listen to a Frog.” The beloved Muppet said. “Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side, because life is better when we leap together.” Wow! These are very profound words of wisdom coming from Kermit The Frog! To al...

  Fourteen Years Of Grace And Counting! Hello stranger. What would you do if I told you that the voice you are hearing now is echoing way down from the grave? This man and his voice, according to the rules of death; is supposed to be dead and forgotten at least for fourteen years today. I have never thought or imagined myself talking to the living from yonder the grave: but hey, here we are it is happening right now! Whether by hyperbole or proxy, it is impossible for this man not to think and imagine life outside the coffin he found himself staring at. The Bible declares, the living know that they will die one day, but the dead know nothing. I also believe that it is hard for a dying person only left with a few breaths, to lie and deceive the people congregating around his deathbed. People would rather leave the subject of death and dying for another day: too scared to acknowledge the truth. Fourteen years of grace and counting. It is hard for me to believe that once up...

  This Your Day ! This your Hour, These your   Minutes, These your Seconds, This your very first Breath, This your very first Cry, This your very first Bath, This your first meeting with Dear Mother ; your first breast-feed, This your first Smile. This your World, This your first Crawl, This your first Step, This your first Walk, This your first Run, This your first School, This your first Test, This your first Exam, This your first Success, This your first Dream, These your dreams rolled over a thousand times, This your first College Graduation, This you on your first day as Teacher, This you with your Learners, This you finishing your 1st; 2nd and 3rd Degrees, This you after all these Graduations.... Celebrating, This you still Thinking... Damn! I am X-years old Today! These are the days of your life! What Now? This you today visiting the Library of Life.... Wow! So many rows of heightened shelves stretching as far as...