My name is Rebecca, and there was a time when darkness terrified me.
When evening came, I became anxious because I knew another sleepless night was waiting for me.
It all started shortly after my husband and I moved into our newly built house. At first, everything was normal. We were excited to begin a new chapter with our children.
But after a few months, I began waking suddenly in the middle of the night.
Sometimes I heard sounds that frightened me. Other times I felt overwhelmed by fear without knowing why. Whether these experiences were caused by stress, anxiety, or something I could not explain, they slowly took control of my life.
I stopped sleeping properly.
I became exhausted during the day.
I lost interest in cooking, visiting friends, and even attending family gatherings.
My husband tried to encourage me, but he also worried because he could see how deeply afraid I had become.
We sought medical advice, and I followed the recommendations I received. The support helped, but I still felt emotionally unsettled and struggled to regain my confidence.
One day, my grandmother suggested that I also visit a respected traditional healer whom he mentioned as Dr MAGONGO, not as a replacement for medical care, but as part of the cultural traditions our family had always valued.
When I arrived, the healer listened carefully without rushing me.
He asked about my worries, my family, and the pressures I had been carrying for years.
He explained that, in many traditions, symbolic rituals are meant to help people let go of fear, emotional burdens, and painful memories while encouraging inner peace.
The ceremony was unlike anything I expected.
A woven reed mat was spread on the ground, symbolizing a peaceful foundation.
A wooden bowl held fresh eucalyptus leaves and rosemary, whose fragrance filled the room.
The healer lit a small beeswax candle, explaining that its light represented hope during difficult seasons.
He gently sprinkled clean spring water using a bundle of olive branches, while prayers for peace, courage, and wisdom were spoken.
Finally, he placed a small carved wooden cross in my hands—not as a magical object, but as a reminder to remain hopeful and trust in God while continuing to care for my health and my family.
Before I left, he gave me simple advice.
“Fear grows stronger when we feed it with silence. Talk to your family. Rest. Continue following your doctor’s advice. Let your home become a place of peace.”
I returned home determined to change my routine.
Every evening, we prayed together as a family.
We spent less time worrying and more time talking openly.
I reduced the stress I had been carrying and continued following the guidance of my healthcare providers.
Little by little, my nights became quieter.
I started sleeping for four hours without waking.
Then six.
Eventually, I could sleep peacefully through the night.
The greatest change was not only that I rested again.
It was that I stopped living as a prisoner of fear.
Today, my home is once again filled with laughter instead of anxiety.
When visitors ask why I always keep fresh flowers and herbs near the entrance, I smile.
They remind me of the day I chose hope over fear.
Looking back, I believe healing came through many things working together—support from my family, medical care, faith, reflection, and cultural traditions that helped me find emotional peace.
Sometimes, the most important journey is not escaping fear.
It is learning that fear no longer controls your life.
