26/06/2025
Diary Of A Young Widow
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I still remember it perfectly well: it was a Saturday morning, and we both had the day off. I woke up early to do laundry because we had planned to spend the entire day with my friend’s family. I needed to finish the laundry before heading to my friend’s home. While I was doing this, I enjoyed a cup of coffee in the lounge and checked my emails. I spent about two and a half hours there.
As I was going through my emails, I decided to spoil my husband by making him breakfast in bed. I’m not usually very romantic, but I wanted to make him happy. I went all out and prepared his favorite breakfast, then took it to our bedroom. When I entered, I saw he was still deeply asleep. I called out to him and placed the food on the coffee table, then went back to the kitchen to grab a spoon.
When I returned to the bedroom, my husband hadn’t moved an inch; he was still in the same position. I called him again, saying “Honey, honey,” but he didn’t respond. I then called his name loudly while touching him, but still, he didn’t react. I noticed his body felt unusually warm. Panic set in as I called out to him again, but there was no response.
I quickly checked for a pulse; there was none. I leaned down to his mouth to listen for breathing, and I couldn’t hear anything. I was filled with fear and began to cry quietly, not wanting to wake and scare our children. I rushed to the kitchen to grab my phone. I was so frightened that I acted quickly. I called an emergency medical service and reached out to two of my friends, who are also doctors.
As a doctor who had dealt with many deceased patients, I knew in my heart that my husband was gone, but I was in denial. I didn’t want to accept the truth. When the ambulance arrived, the medics quickly declared my husband dead. I urged them to try hard to revive him, but despite their efforts, he didn’t wake up. They covered him with a white sheet, and I uncovered him, waiting desperately for my friends to help save him. When my friends arrived, they confirmed what I feared most: he had passed away. To me, it felt like a nightmare from which I couldn’t wake. In my heart, I believed he was just sleeping and would soon awaken. But the harsh reality was that he was gone, and I had to start preparing for his funeral.
My life was turned upside down. I had no family to lean on, and my husband’s family didn’t want to communicate with me. I felt I had no choice but to inform them of his passing.
I called his parents and siblings, but no one answered. I then took my husband’s phone and called his dad. I struggled to find the words to speak to him. Finally, I mustered the strength to say, “Se ke tlogo go le botṣ̌a sona se tlo le roba pelo papa,” which means, "Papa, what I’m about to tell you will break your heart. (Tonny o re sheile mesong ya lehono),” which translates to, “Tonny passed away this morning.” After saying that, I broke down and cried out loud.
To be continued....