Child

Have you ever wished to be a child again because of one thing or the other that you see that reminds you those happy memories in your childhood, memories that you would forever cherish and not trade for anything?

My childhood was a really beautiful one. I lived in a flat with my mum and my 3 siblings, and because my siblings were way older than I was, the kind of play I wanted to play was too childish for them. Thank God each of my neighbors had kids my age, some I even went to school with and the others schooled close to my school so you can imagine what going home felt like after school hours. Since my house wasn't from school, we all walked back home together kicking dust and hanging our schoolbags on our heads (I don't even know how we were comfortable). When I got home, after taking off my uniform, the next thing I did was drink garri. I had this really long cup that I used, my special garri cup. Only God knows why I loved it so much because I don't even know myself. Even when there was no sugar, I opted for salt. Yes. I can hear you say "what? how now"? Well, I don't know what was wrong with me. It was like an addiction until one day I put a lot of it into my special cup with so much salt and I couldn't finish it, even my aunty said she was going to beat me if I didn't finish it. Your guess is as good as mine. I went to hide to throw it away.

I remember Fridays were my best days cos' school always seemed more interesting as if that was the Law of Elementary school "Fridays had to be really interesting for the kids". "Osheey no school tomorrow", was my favorite saying on Fridays, and I never touched homework until Sunday night or Monday morning or never. I can remember Primary 4 very vividly, I was always punished or flogged for not doing homework. Like every single time. Lmao. Don't worry. I became better as I grew up. Friday evenings were all about games or stories. "Catcher/Police and Thief", "Who pinch you", "Name Name Name", "Ten Ten", "Oba ni ke da'wo jo", "Mr. Macaroni/On my way to Sailor's house", "I call on", "One One touch" (Yes. I played football. Wipe the surprise off your face) and so many other games including playing house, playing emergency room (one time my cousins and I helped a cockroach give birth. Now, I cringe at the sight of a roach), playing with dolls and stuffed animals, cooking with sand, leaves and sometimes stealing ingredients from my Mum's kitchen.

As a child, there was a whole lot to enjoy including getting gifts and cash from visitors anytime they stopped by. Recently my mum's friend came to see us and he was about leaving, that's how he said "you're a big girl now. Do you still need money"? I just smiled but I'm sure you can imagine what went through my head. Being grown up can be annoying sometimes. Ugh.

Sometimes I just look at niece who is going to be 2 years old in May and I feel a rush of love flow through my entire being when she smiles or laughs or calls my name (even though she pronounces it as Auntie "Tan" instead of "Joanne", but goes ahead to call every other person's name in the house properly). I'm just like "there's nothing purer than a child's love", it makes me shed a tear sometimes just thinking about it. We have the experience of an adult, but let's strive to always have/show love like a child.

What's your favorite childhood memory?

Image: Google