My name is Mervyn Maciel and as I celebrate my 96th birthday on Monday, May 19, I have decided to share some reflections about life.
My parents were originally from Goa but I was born in Nairobi. My mother Josephine Maciel died at childbirth while my father Mathias Maciel, stepmother and three young siblings, were the victims of the ill-fated ship SS TILAWA (sometimes referred to as the forgotten Indian Titanic), sunk by the Japanese Navy in 1942 during the Second World War, making me an orphan. I joined the colonial-era Kenyan Civil Service in 1947, working mostly in the provincial administration in various districts. I currently live in the United Kingdom since my relocation in 1966 and I am also the author of two books: Bwana Karani (1985) and From Mtoto to Mzee (2014).
Had I been asked to write about my 18th or 21st birthday, I would have found the task much easier. However, the Sunday Nation editor Mike Owuor had other ideas when he invited me to write about my becoming a true Mzee as I reach that milestone on May 19 when I turn 96.
Mervyn Maciel when he was a government official in Marsabit.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
When I look back on all those years — years of joy and sorrow— I can’t think of any secret that has helped me reach this milestone. Having been orphaned at a young age has no doubt toughened me to a degree, and I have learnt to face life with courage and complete trust in God. I must emphasise that my faith has paid a great part in every aspect of my life.
To be quite honest, I never expected to last this long when many of my friends or even my brothers, did not have the good fortune of celebrating their 60th, 75th or even 80th birthday.
Some attribute diet to a long and healthy life but I cannot recall observing any special diet since I love my food too much and the thought of going on a diet has never crossed my mind. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that complete trust in God and looking at life in a positive manner have been the guiding principles throughout my life.
Growing old has been a great experience and life has taught me a lot — chiefly to be content with my lot and spare a thought for my fellow brothers and sisters who may not be in as comfortable a position as myself. My philosophy of life is to take each day as it comes and not worry too much about the future. If I am to be Honest, however, I have not always stuck by this rule!
What is age after all if not just a number as the popular saying goes? One has to remember that old age is no obstacle to enjoyment and fulfilment.
Mervyn Maciel when he was a government official in Marsabit.
Photo credit: Pool
Like many of my friends, I was a trifle nervous about the onset of old age and decided that the best way to overcome this fear was to keep busy exploring new avenues to occupy my mind. Unfortunately, unlike my late wife Elsie, I am not an artistic or creative person nor am I good with my hands apart from being able to write on a variety of subjects with ease, like I am doing now.
Unlike some of my friends who wonder why I am not bored at my advanced age, I always tell them that, for me, there are not enough hours in the day! As long as one enjoys good health, there is no limit to what one can do to occupy oneself even in old age.
Growing old is quite a challenge, especially when one, like me, has health issues. But life has to go on and one needs to do one’s best to face these challenges in a calm manner.
A sense of humour is also a great help in old age as this will go a long way towards helping us cope with our own problems and look at life in a more positive light.
Mervyn Maciel with Rendille warriors in Marsabit.
Photo credit: Pool
There have been highs and lows in my life – my highest point was when I finally married the love of my life Elsie – a woman who stood by me through thick and thin. My lowest point was when my brothers and I were orphaned at a very young age as a result of a World War II tragedy, and also when we lost our two-year old son from a congenital heart problem very early in our married life. “And of course there is the loss of my dear wife, my priceless companion of 70 odd years, who became a victim of Covid five years ago as a result of which we, her family, couldn’t give her a final embrace. It still hurts.
If I were to go back to my younger self today, I would certainly have wanted to do some things differently – the first not being too worried and to learn patience and tolerance. These are virtues that I have always found wanting.
Mervyn Maciel (right) with fishermen on the shores of Lake Turkana in this picture taken in the late 1940s when he worked in Lodwar.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation
My advice to those approaching old age would be: accept your present situation and don’t be overanxious about the future. Leave that in God’s hands.
I am fortunate in that one of my granddaughters also shares my birthday, while a grandson couldn’t arrive early enough but show will show up on May 20 – so hopefully we are in for a big family celebration!
I would like to conclude by quoting what the saintly Mother Teresa of Calcutta had to say: “Growing old is a gift from God”
