The year started on a high note, with my short story, Ground Zero, being selected as one of the winning entries for the IWSG Anthology, Parallels. The book was published on the 3rd of May, and is currently available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Goodreads, so if you fancy some good speculative fiction, you know what to do. I wasn't particularly active in the IWSG this past year though, with work, school and life in general getting in the way, so I would like to use this opportunity to throw a quick apology to Alex and the remaining members of the group.
The nations of the world came together in August for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. I am not a fan of sports, but I do love watching opening ceremonies and such, and the Rio 2016 opening was no exception. There was a very timely presentation on the effects of global warming during the ceremony, where they'd shown aerial shots of how coastal cities around the world would look in the future, should the current trend be left unchecked. It was quite eerie seeing Lagos largely submerged underwater like that; perhaps I should consider moving further inland.
The 2016 U.S. presidential elections were held on November 8, during which democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton, went toe to toe with republican candidate, Donald Trump. Although I didn't have a horse in this race as they say, I followed the proceedings with what I could only describe as mild amusement. And in what has been termed an unexpected outcome by some and a downright travesty by others, Donald Trump won by receiving the majority of the votes, securing his place as the 45th president of the United States.
2016 is a year that would be remembered for its string of celebrity deaths, as several icons of music, film and sports passed away. It started with David Bowie and Alan Rickman in January, then there was Anton Yelchin, Muhammad Ali and Prince, and more recently, George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds. These were all stars of their respective fields and crafts, and the world continues to mourn their deaths till this day, even as we celebrate the legacies they've left behind.
I also lost a star of my very own this past year, the one at the very center of my universe, my mum, Mrs. Clara Dupe Omozokpia, who died about a month ago. She was 66 years old. Sometimes I wonder if she is up there looking down on me, and what I would say if I had one last chance to speak with her: "Mum, I miss you more than words could possibly convey. But I must console myself with the belief that you are in a better place now. Say hi to Seye and dad for me, and tell them that I miss them just as much."
Overall, 2016 has turned out to be a year filled with sadness and grief, casting a veil of uncertainty on the future. But as much as we might feel like curling into a ball and crying sometimes, this is not the time to despair or lose hope. As my sister once told me, so long as you still have a beating heart in your chest, then you still have a life to live. So live life to the fullest, and never lose sight of the legacy you'd like to leave behind when you are gone.
Sorry for your loss. My mom died last year; I know how this goes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tony. And that's right, I still remember your mum passing just before we started the A to Z challenge, and me wondering where you found the will to go through with it. I admire your strength and courage, pal. Stay strong.
Deletelouis vuitton
ReplyDeletemichael kors outlet
pandora jewelry
pandora charms
louis vuitton canada
tommy hilfiger outlet
gucci outlet
ugg outlet
abercrombie & fitch
coach outlet
chenlina20170104
polo ralph lauren shirts
ReplyDeleteralph lauren uk
tory burch outlet
nike outlet store
michael kors handbags
lebron 13 shoes
prada bags
nike air max shoes
cheap jordan shoes
mont blanc ballpoint pens
hzx20170302
christian louboutin shoes
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses
longchamp outlet
longchamp outlet online
polo ralph lauren
fitflops sale clearance
kate spade outlet store
ray ban sunglasses wholesale
cheap ray bans
cheap jerseys wholesale
chenlili20170313
kobe shoes
ReplyDeletelongchamp sale
adidas ultra boost
lacoste outlet
michael kors purses
adidas superstar shoes
nike air force 1
michael jordan shoes
longchamp le pliage
louboutin shoes uk
gucci borse
ReplyDeletecoach outlet online
ray ban sunglasses discount
louis vuitton handbags
jimmy choo shoes
adidas
discount oakley sunglasses
coach outlet online
ghd straighteners sale
christian louboutin sale
xushengda0324
birkenstock shoes
ReplyDeleteoakley sunglasses outlet
lebron james shoes
ralph lauren outlet
christian louboutin shoes
replica rolex watches
asics running shoes
air max 2016
adidas yeezy boost
ralph lauren outlet online
chenyingying20170402
coach outlet
ReplyDeleteray ban sunglasses
rolex replica watches
oakley sunglasses
golden state warriors jerseys
dallas cowboys jersey
michael kors handbags wholesale
nike huarache
new york jets jerseys
ed hardy outlet
tommy hilfiger windbreaker
ReplyDeletebirkin handbags
sac longchamp
cheap jordan shoes
kate spade outlet store
red bottom
eahawks jerseys
cheap jordans for sale
toms outlet store
burberry outlet
20170515yuanyuan
20170621 junda
ReplyDeleteadidas shoes
pandora jewelry
adidas outlet
louis vuitton handbags
louis vuitton outlet
ralph lauren polo
Basketball Shoes
ray-ban sunglasses
coach outlet online coach factory outlet
ysl outlet online
zhengjx20170718
ReplyDeletecheap jordans free shipping
christian louboutin shoes
rolex uk
nike outlet store online
oakley sunglasses wholesale
nike air max 90
christian louboutin shoes
cheap jerseys wholesale
swarovski crystal
ray ban wayfarer
Ngiring share kang admin Obat Pegal Pegal this Obat Nyeri Otot that Obat Gusi Bengkak there Obat Nyeri Punggung here Obat Penurun Darah Tinggi hatur nuhun
ReplyDeleteThis is really a nice and informative, containing all information and also has a great impact on the new technology. Thanks for sharing it fantastic website, where did u come up with the records on this posting? i am thrilled i discovered it though, unwell be checking returned soon to discover what additional posts you include.
ReplyDeleteHey, know About Jessica Henwick Star Wars? Visit Our page or Read Here this article.
سنضع خطة شاملة لمنزلك لضمان إزالة أي آفات موجودة حاليًا وتثبيط الآفات المستقبلية أو منعها من الانتقال إلى منزلك. نحن ملتزمون بالحصول على نتائج لك. اتصل بنا اليوم للتحدث مع المبيد ولتحديد موعد تفتيش منزلكشركة مكافحة حشرات
ReplyDeleteشركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالرياض
شيخ روحاني
ReplyDeleteمعالج روحاني
hobbyhuren berlin
رقم ساحر سعودي
رقم ساحر سعودي
wikimedia.cc
رقم ساحر حقيقي
جلب الحبيب
جلب الحبيب
جلب الحبيب