But we have to let you know how we have fared since you died one year ago
During your funeral many speakers from both genders, different faiths, political affiliations, educational and economic achievements
Their hands on the microphone, some steady, others trembling, spoke highly of your educational, personal and professional accomplishments
They praised you for being a role model for marrying and raising a family
They cited occasions when you demonstrated generosity of time and wallet
After the cleric uttered, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," we lowered your coffin to the ground and mourners went their separate ways
Grief and sorrow still resided in our hearts and minds: we, your children; and your wife
But that didn't stop vultures comprising your relatives and siblings, from swooping down on your earthly assets for their unfair share
Your clothes, shoes, books, CDs, electronics and even furniture were fair game
They said it was just the beginning and they would be back
Creditors followed, claiming you owed them millions and demanded their money back
Otherwise they would auction your property to the highest bidder at the fall of the hammer
None of your relatives and siblings offered to assist us settle your liabilities
A woman accompanied by children later joined the cast, insisting you married her under customary law a decade ago!
Dear father and husband, why didn't you have the will to write a will?
What were we, your wife and children; to do?
Give in to their demands or dispute these claims?
Their lust forced us to file a court case and hire a lawyer
But the wheels of justice rotated too slowly
Our mother had to prove she was your wife by producing a marriage certificate
We, your children, had to prove you were our biological father by tabling birth certificates
The vultures, creditors and your other 'wife' had chances to argue why they merited membership in your estate
These court sessions stole much of our time and cost us a bundle in bus fare, communications, accommodation, lawyer's fees...
Not to mention the mental anguish
Dear father and husband, why didn't you have the will to write a will?
By the time the wheels of justice gained momentum
We were financially and psychologically exhausted
The court ruled that the creditors had to be repaid in installments, and your other children deserved a share of your estate just like us!
Fortunately your other 'wife's,' siblings' and relatives' claims were dismissed with costs
Though our lawyer will grin all the way to his bank or banks
We, your wife and children; were left with nothing to write to you about
Dear father and husband, why didn't you inform us you had another family?
Dear father and husband, why didn't you inform us about your liabilities?
Dear father and husband, why didn't you have the will to write a will?
Copyright 2007. festus mbuimwe aka wamoronjia
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