Christmas Day, 2005 Part 3...

Kechi was such a tactile person that she always used to hug and hold onto me as often as she could throughout the day. To be with her and not be able to touch and hug her had been so hard for me and I really cherished that moment. She responded by moving her legs. I remembered that she is very ticklish, though, and after some time I stopped because her pulse rate was going up. 

It was beyond thrilling to be able to touch Kechi even a little, when I yearned to hold her in my arms and soothe away her pains. I gave God glory for that opportunity. Dorothy jokingly said that she hoped I was not going to faint from touching Kechi. It was a special moment. 

When  we  got  back  to  the  hotel,  Dorothy  treated  us  to Christmas lunch. It was a buffet and we had far too much to eat. After lunch, Magdalene, Layi and her husband, Francis, Ifeoma Nwosa and her husband, along with two of their friends from Zambia and Zimbabwe came for a visit. We all sat at the hotel lobby, praying and singing. It was wonderful. Ifeoma and Magdalene brought food which we kept for supper.

Then Magdalene took me aside. “Ijeoma, “she asked me, “Are you mourning your daughter?” I was startled. “No!” “Then why do you go around looking like you are? Why don't you do up your hair nicely? Why are you not wearing lipstick? Why are you not looking like a woman who is celebrating God's gift to her?” She reminded me that she had cancer and yet people who did not already know would never guess. She told me to powder my face, put on my make up, and celebrate God, Who had done so much for me. I was deeply moved and thanked her.

When we went back to the hospital that evening, Dorothy and I were wearing makeup...

To be continued...