"Mwana wange ndetera ebikyayi ebyo OR ekikanga ekyo" male ganywaho" ( Translation: My child please bring me that "not-so-exciting" cup of black tea so that I shove it down my throat). Every one of us must have heard these words at some point in our lives. To an outsider It just sounded like a normal instruction being given to a child but to us it had almost become a recital so much that we could almost say it along with her and knew when it was coming. What made this request fun for those of us that lived close to mum was that at hearing those words you had to run as fast as your legs could carry you to light the "sigiri" or turn on the kettle( when life was a bit more cush) for you knew that she had to have that cuppa ASAP. Faster than you could say your name, Akiiki would have a her cup of black tea no sugar in a TUMPECO in front of her and then off you would go to continue with whatever you were doing hoping that she would down it in the next minute or so before you came back to pick up the cup. 15 minutes later you'd check on her and she'd still be going on about her duties with the cuppa still where you left it ....okay not bad she is waiting for it to cool. Sounds reasonable to anyone right! 30 Minutes later the cup would not have moved an inch... with all it's contents so out of concern we would ask 'Akiiki can we warm it up for you or make another cup for you"... Response: "Nangwa ebikyayi byange bireke nja kubinywa" ( Translation: "Do not touch my boring tea I will drink it")...Okaaaaay! Off you went wondering when that would be. 3 hours later. The cuppa would still be there sometimes only half consumed...To this day I am not sure if any of Akiiki's children will ever account for what happened to that cuppa. All we know is that somehow we woke up in the following morning and the cup would be empty and nicely washed. In some way I think her aim was always to finish what she started. It did not matter how or when she finished as long as she finished the job and finished it well. Thankfully we have all learnt this from mum ( not with a cup of tea) but with most things in life. Thank you Akiiki for this valuable lesson and know that as you look down at us through the stars, we are still making heaps of "tea cups" for you and always will. We are also teaching our little ones the value of finishing what one has started ( not quite as well as you but well enough to make you proud). We love you to the moon and back! Jacqui