Broken Crayons still colour…Tedd Josiah still grieving his late wife
By: Sophie Opondo
Posted on Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Legendary Music Producer Tedd Josiah has disclosed the last moments with his late wife Regina Katar who passed on back in October 2017. The memories are still fresh, grief numbs him occasionally, sorrow etched in his soul. Still, like a wounded soldier, he limps on, determined to encourage single fathers on a similar journey
Tedd is credited with produced hits like Unbwogable by Gidi Gidi Maji Maji, Necessary Noise’s second album which boasted of popular tracks like Kenyan Boy, Kenyan Girl, Bless my Room among others in his days as the CEO of Blu Zebra Records. He revealed that his beloved wife was bubbly before her sudden death. It was a normal night for the Josiahs, he recalls. Sadly, it would turn out to be their last together.
Friday 7:30pm dinner at home with Mama and Jay Jay; she cooked rice, chicken and was happy beyond words… then a movie which she talked through!!! as Jay Jay slept between us on the couch. After the film we went to bed. At 3am as she breastfed she complained that her head hurt, took some meds and threw up. We dashed to hospital where she fell asleep and never woke up again.
His immediate reaction…
Tedd felt lost after the mother of his baby girl was declared dead at the tender age of 26. He was confused and overwhelmed by emotions, he gently held his daughter, his only beacon of hope, and began the journey back home, this time it was just the two of them against the world.
At 5am Jay Jay and I sat in my car confused, lost and alone. She’d just gone like that. No child should ever be without a mother! NO CHILD! My friend, you were magic. Rest, because every Friday it plays back in my head... But broken crayons still paint so I will paint. ASHKIM.
What is grief like…?
It’s a loss that shook him to the core. Regina passed on just three months after welcoming their first child, Jameela Wendo alias Jay Jay. In the same breathe, he said that there is no specific time when one finally heals. There is no healing from grief.
What is grief like? Well it’s like the waves of an ocean sometimes they are high sometimes low but you're guaranteed they will hit. What causes them? Memories, jolts of confusion, uncertainty and moments of self-doubt all play roles in this. How long does it take to heal? You don’t heal, you just learn to walk with the limp.
Moving On…
Earlier this year, the single father revealed that he does not intend re-marry or even date again.
I am settled, I don’t need anyone. Right now, my focus is JJ and bringing someone new into her life will destabilize her. She is still young to understand what is going on and I’m very sensitive about that.
Tedd Josiah has been very vocal, about his parenting journey as a single father. He is also transparent about missing his best friend. People take pictures for the gram on a daily basis however the exuberance of his daughter is pure felicity. The Man Mom as he calls himself loves his baby girl fiercely and you would have to pass through him to get to her.
