The Loss Of A Friend

I received an email yesterday notifying me of the death of my friend, James Bett. I've known JB for probably close to 15 years and the news came to me as a shock because he died suddenly.

For all the years that I have known JB, he has always traveled to his upcountry home during the Easter holidays and also on other extended holidays. This time round, as he traveled back to Nairobi their car collided with some buffaloes along the Nakuru - Nairobi Highway. After a few days in hospital, he succumbed to a heart attack most probably resulting from a blood clot.

My relationship with JB has always been a very interesting one. Every time when I visit Kenya, he is one of the few guys that I always meet. ANd on his trips to the US he used to call me up. Once we planned on meeting when we were both in Washington DC but we missed each other due to our tight schedules.

During my last trip to Kenya a few months ago, we met at his office and we had planned on going out for lunch but I had to leave abruptly to attend to someone who called me while we were together. Had I known that I would never see him again, I would have stayed on for lunch.

This is the second time that I have skipped having lunch with a friend only for them to pass away afterwards.

The previous time I was in Kenya, I met with a friend for lunch but I had to leave before the food was served as I was required elsewhere. A few weeks later he passed away. Considering that he was someone I had known all my life, I received the news with shock. I promised myself to visit his mum but I never got to when I was in Kenya.

Right now my heart goes out to his dear wife Vicky and his children. Despite the differences that I may have had with JB over the years, I treasure the times we spent together. I am glad to have been friends with him.

RIP JB.