Memories of the season…
I remember growing up and looking forward to the holidays.
The Christmas holiday was a banger! We always would be vehicled home for the season.
I remember the drive down to Anambra state. I remember that my dad was called, “Onye ije anyasi” (The one who journeys at night). I remember that whatever story you told my father of the happenings at night, won’t make the next trip one to be embarked on before sunset. Finally, I remember an experience we had and how Dady told his version of this story to Mama Ogbunike- Dady’s version portrayed him as the James Bond of the night.
The knock-outs! Mama constantly screaming, “Nkiru, I chee na I ka bu umuazi!!!” to Mumy. My mother had nothing called shame when it came to throwing ‘bangers’ unexpectedly at people. Mumy was a character! She would come at you while you got into the shower. Or while at doing the dishes and laughing away. Mumy would ambush you on your way to the room through the dark corridor. She would aim very intelligently and achieve her goal in such a way that when the ‘victim’ told the story, you’d reel in laughter.
Our entrance into ‘bee Mama’ upon arrival in our hometown, could be likened to the entrance of Michael Knight of Knight Rider on his way to battle some evil force. As soon as Dady’s car lights shone in the direction of the house, the forces hidden in all kinds of dark places would appear and resume the banger competition. Mumy would alight from our car and join in. It was the battle of bangers. There were ones that blew up once, twice, thrice, four times. Mumy was the pacesetter when it came to bangers. She would introduce the latest to the crew every year. She was indeed the Mama of play! But there was the main Mama.
You would hear Mama Ogbunike screaming atop her voice from the parlour. Would it deter team banger? We were the youngest of them all, who would be seen hopping around the little space inside the car screaming in excitement. “Mumy, throw one here… He’s hiding there… I saw him! I saw him!” we would say pointing in various directions. Despite the screams from our aging grandma, we wanted more ‘moves’ from the opposing side to ensure Mumy was on top of the game.
Then the compound would be calm. The neighbours now aware that odu Mama nan di bee ya abata go.
“Bia Caleb, gi bu nwa e jiro nti anu ife…” will cause dady to start on jists of how we escaped ndi ‘omekome’ while mumy sits laughing away at a cousin or another and their moves.
My childhood really has happy, lovely and very cherishable memories!
According to Meik Wiking, “Happy memories are essential for our mental health. They strengthen our sense of purpose and bond our relationships. When we are young, everything is new. We are doing so many things for the first time that we form very strong memories. But as we get older, we have to work harder to turn events into memories and to benefit from their happiness-inducing qualities.”
As the adults in the lives of our children, it is our duty to give them some memorable moments to look back to, tell as a story and laugh.
Christmas is one season ripe enough to allow for the creation of these memories!
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