Itai Vhudzijena

Cornelia Itai Vhudzijena

"Oh, no!!!
When did this happen?!"
Denise Morrison exclaimed

"A few hours ago"
Her cousin, Jane, responded sadly

Denise swivelled in her chair!

She could not believe her favourite aunt was in hospital!!
'Aunt Cornelia has had a stroke!!', her mind screamed

Eyes burning with unshed tears, Denise said
"I pray for her full recovery, soon, Sisi Jane.
Aunt Cornelia is certainly a strong woman.
She will pull through!."

Jane was silent for a minute.
She was getting emotional and was trying to control herself.

The possibility of losing her mother was too much to consider ... she daren't think in that manner.

"So, will you fly her back home?"
Denise asked miserably

"The Doctors felt it best we not tire her by flying long distance.
Instead, they prefer to treat her this side.
Anna and I will look after her."
Jane responded

Denise's aunt had been living and working in The UK as a nurse, when she suffered a massive stroke, collapsed and had been hospitalized.

Her eldest daughter, Jane, had flown to The UK to be by her mother's side.

"Thank you for calling, Sisi Jane.
I will be in touch"
Denise said

Jane and Denise spoke for a few minutes more, then hung up.

Denise stood up and walked over to stare unseeingly through her window.

Aunt Cornelia was her mother's cousin.

The last time she had seen her she had been full of life.

She was this hardworking, wonderful, loving, gentle woman.

'Salt of the earth' is the best way to describe her.

What had caused Aunt Cornelia' stroke?

Could it have been caused by either years of emotional abuse in a loveless marriage or putting up with an inconsiderate, thoughtless, selfish spouse perhaps ...?

Whatever the cause, Cornelia is a heart wrenching story of a woman who, all she wanted, was to love and be loved in return by her husband; raise their children together in a happy, centred home.

But Cornelia's married life was far from making her happy.
Neither was it centred.
Instead, it was fraught with insults, deception, deceit, betrayal, heartache and confusion.

Would Cornelia recover from her stroke or would she succumb to it?

Read the story and see for yourself.