¤BIRTHDAY HYMNS¤ There are few things i count too prized an asset in this life; God, my family, my friends, my books and my write ups. Im the first of five. Born into a Christian home of divergent parents. My father always had a lenient view of which he saw things, very loving and accommodating. Hardly ever raised a hand on his children, neither chided us when we did wrong. But if you ever provoked Dad to anger in the house and was spanked, then you were definitely doomed for the day. Because unlike Dad, Mum never proved a comfort zone after being meted with his punishment. So the rational thing to do is: never get at the opposing side of Dad, that way you remained the beloved child with whom he was ever pleased with. At the other receiving end, you meet the reversal; My Mum. She is the least character of Dad. Very strict, and not the one to condone irregularities. She is a woman made with an iron fist. One created by her Maker with the heart of man in a structure of woman. Mum expects perfection and timing in all you do. No mistakes, no second trails. With her, Just doing Good is not perfect, and if its not perfect, then its not good enough. She would say; you have two ears and one mouth, I expect just two things from you; Listen twice and talk once I couldnt help but wonder where and how she got these adage from. Always had a perfect and close fitting words to wisdom to round off her admonition. I hated my mum, because in my own words; she never liked us as Dad did. I believed she was never understanding to us children. I was of the impression that she was just a big bully that always found joy in unleashing hell and brimstone at any point we erred. This trait was perfectly illustrated years ago when my sister and i had a fall out. I was 16, most probably lesser. we got into a battle. The cause of the quarrel is what i cannot recall at this point. Being the only girl in the family, she was lagging behind in physical prowess to take on the boys. So the venom her mouth spilt was the bulwark she had to manoeuvre her way in the house. I preferred being dress downed by mum to tolerating my sisters uncultured way of response. That fateful day, I have had enough of her bad mouthed remarks. And as the head of the kids i demanded respect, of which i was determined to take with all means employed; Force or other discerning factors. After much altercation, a brawl started and the end proved me victorious. Leaving telling signs of bruises and black eye on her face. I breathed a sign of fulfilment for finally teaching her a lesson. I was happy to have made her known that my position could not be compromised in the house. Mum and Dad werent at home, they were never at home on week days. So i was at full leverage to conquer and reconquer her each time she fought back. I was upbeat, yet restive; waiting for my parents to get back and coined up words to explain or justify my actions. Mum always got back first before Dad, and that spelt trouble. When she came back to meet the damage i had done, her thunderous voice summoned me to the sitting room to face charges levied against me by my sister in mums supreme court. I had no room for appeal, Dad was not back yet to atleast ease the impending barrage that to about to befall me. Before i could speak a word, I was dealt a resounding slap by Mum. Such slaps that triggers you into explanation even when one was not needed from you. What followed suit was what i was expecting but not entirely to the extent it got that day; blows, kicks and her dangerous weapon of leather belt which up till date i never knew where she hid it. I literally saw hell on earth. I wont be wrong to say i felt the four cardinal points of the world on my head through out that week. And she said in her typical authoritative tone; Let this be a warning to you till you die. If ever again i heard or saw you raised your hands on your sister or any other girl, You will sleep in police custody for one week. You had better use your tongue to count your teeth she concluded. Counting my teeth with my tongue was what i always did. After every event of being reprimanded, she made that phrase, till date it hasnt been up to 32. Mum was never the one that gave empty promises; she had once carried out the threat of applying pepper in my eyes before. So i dare not put her to test when she utters a such words; they not empty, they were never empty. The fear of that incident left an indelible footprint in the sand of my life, and has shaped me into a fine gentle man who wouldnt lift a finger on a lady. My sister and I have grown to become best of friends, and i learnt to tolerate her short comings. Today; Mum marks her birthday. Words cannot explain what she means to us children. She have been the reason we kept on keeping on. She has always preached it to us like a Sunday sermon; Umu m, never forget where you are coming from I never forgot. I knew exactly where i came from. But she never really took it as stress to quote it to us time and again. Just as saint Paul quoted: Silver and gold i do not have, but what i have, I will give to you. I ve no riches, but memories of your die hard training which made us whom we are today. I choose to recall this event because i know what you saved me from being. When i count Gods blessings upon my life, i count you X10. Happy birthday Mum! One milestone attained, many feat to be surpassed. You will definitely live long to reap your labours. Your children will not let you down. We Love you abunch! But i keep wondering, How old are you now?
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 10:22:00 +0000
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