When I was barely three years old, it was quite tough because we were somewhat homeless as a result of a huge fire which we narrowly escaped... this tragedy sent all five of us to the village where we had to manage without our parents for almost a year....
Seeing that we were from the big city and that Daddy was some sort of demi-god probably because he rode a rickety beetle which 'tu-tu-tussed' its way gradually into our village compound, people surrounded us all the time cause they wanted to be around us by all means....
As soon as the weekend was over, it was often times a festival of tears as daddy would be going back to work in the city while mummy would have to go back to school. I would be left with my siblings and some of our miserable cousins whose claws often came out when our parents were away. it was tough but we lived through it.
Our safe haven however was our maternal grandma's house. We usually ran to her when we were either home sick or bullied by our cousins. I remember sitting with my Grandma who sang songs to us and told us moonlight tales while we indulged in our delicious 'gragm' (dried sweet potatoes) and dakuwa (I don't know what it is in English but its made with groundnut)... I really loved my Grandma because she was the only grandparent we had left....
Time passed by, we grew up and often times found it difficult to travel with our parents to the village. Occasionally though, we would travel home. Seeing our grandma was always the number one thing in our heads....
Washing her clothes by the well was often a JOYOUS thing to do... we would pack her tinny winnie wrappers and tee-shirts and strut to the well with huge basins just to make it seem as if we were doing something that would fetch us money... kids our age often times gathered round just to watch how "city people" wash and rinse clothes....
Gradually however, the story started changing.... Grandma fell ill... First it was her sight, then her memory, then she couldn't carry herself. But one thing remained the same... She was always happy... she sang, she danced, she prayed, she cracked jokes, all while nursing the pain that accompany old age.
She moved to Jos to live with my Aunt whom I'm sure God will bless... she was always there for granny.... Last weekend was unforgettable because we spent it in Jos. As soon as we got there, we went all out just to see granny. We tried by all means possible to get a photographer to take a picture of all of us, seeing that her great grand children, grand children and children were present. It was a beautiful picture at the end of the day even though granny's smile showed that she had no tooth left.
Friday the 13th.... Sitting on the couch and watching my favourite soap opera 'Tinsel', I got a call from my elder sister.... Grandma passed away.... She died.... Emotions are everywhere, but one thing I'm grateful for is that she lived a long and fulfilling life and in all her happiness she never left God's side... and God being a merciful King gave her a peaceful exit out of this place we call earth.
To all of you who still have your grandparents alive, forget the fact that they're old and wrinkly. It can be discouraging and borderline irritating BUT do all you can to make their last days count. They'd bless you, and it'll make your days on earth fruitful.
Adieu Grandma, Granny, Kaka.... I'll always always always love you....
