Andrew Peter Batley

A Tribute to my love Andy is the greatest gift I've ever had. He came into my life at a time when I thought I had it all handled. The first day we met we really connected and I knew that if we spent time together I would be his wife. What a blessing he has been!!! To start with, Andy liked being unpredictable, even a little contrarian. He had no interest in conforming to some prepackaged version of what a life should be and he didn't want a memorial that was going to be prepackaged either. It also showed his disdain for self pity. He had been to hell and back and yet somehow never lost his energy or his optimism or his zest for life. So cancer did not scare him. And he would maintain that buoyant spirit to the very end, too stubborn to sit still, as ever, fiercely devoted to his work, friends and most of all to his family. A cancer in his bladder began his journey home. His dry wit kept me on my toes though it was his unconditional love that had the greatest impact on me. Unmoving was his commitment and how he saw me. He looked past the rough diamond edges and only saw the best in me and he had a way to nurture that. The treatments he received were brutal-Chemotherapy, surgery, dialysis, blood transfusions but they never altered the masculine essence that was my love. The pain of such treatments never brought a moan of discontent rather he glowed with fatherhood masculine energy and profound love. All were touched by his courage and when we found out that he had bone metastasis, he apologized. It wasn't himself that he thought of at that moment, it was Joe and I. His strength is burned in my consciousness, his selflessness and courage will be my comfort in this space that we occupy, a space filled with his memories and still such a long way to go in life. With the betting industry collapsing in Kenya, Andy never gave up. He was optimistic that one day he will revive premier bet Kenya. With my struggle to find my path and direction, he quietly held space for me to grow. Nurturing my soul with love and acceptance, he never once let me get away with anything, God how I respect him for that. His last days were a journey of biblical proportions, a veritable 40 days and night at the Nairobi Hospital where he was baptized and his final rites performed by the catholic church. His passing came when he selected his way and his time. When he knew that it was right, he gave me the greatest gift of all-To be with him as he transitioned to the after-life. All of the pain of the vigil, all of the fear of getting it right, doing enough and saying the right things -all of it went with his spirit!!! Gently as he had been throughout his life, he left. My days are going to be different though he will never be far away. These words in my own way are meant to convey, my tribute to my love, the father of my son. We are all at choice in the matter of our lives, how we react or act colours our existence. Andy and I chose our love and it has given me the meaning of life. I choose to view it from the side of gratitude and not loss and pain. Love heals, it heals our souls, it heals our relationships and it can even heal the world. My husband gave me this love and I choose to share it with you. Andy is now with God, in collective consciousness and once again at the seat of the creator. May God bless Andrew Peter Batley