Memories are powerful parts of who we are, where we are coming from and most times they inform how we venture further afield into life. Some memories fade with time, while some hold dark moments in our lives even when we try to suppress them.
Some memories burn vivid and bright in our minds and evoke a sublime state of happiness in our lives that we unwittingly wish to cling to such memories even when that time has long passed. These are the memories that I wish I could hold in the palm of my hands, but I store them in a better place – my heart.
A lot of times, I remember moments in time of my childhood when all I knew was the cocooning love of my parents and as an adult, I crawl back into my head into those moments that suffuse my entire being with softness and warmth.
Each day that passes by brings memories of my loved ones’ who have passed on to the other side to my mind. They are the one’s who shaped my life and molded my values as the human that I am today. My late dad and my beautiful, enigmatic grandmothers.
My dad is/was a man amongst men. A gentleman to the letter. A firm, fair-minded and peaceful fellow. He loved music. He was creative and diligent. He loved people. He worked hard. He was a good man, good father, and provider. He loved me.
Sometimes, memories of him bring bittersweet tears to my eyes’ that even after 3 years of his passing, I get a lump in my throat whenever my thoughts dwell on him. He was my anchor.
Memories of my grandmothers’ are filled with softness, with laughter, with tales of folklore, proverbs and life lessons. With pampering with one hand and a hard smack on the butt for misbehaving, with eating freshly prepared meals made on firewood and earthenware pots. They are filled with remembrance of massaging aching muscles with locally prepared shea butter and the heartfelt thank you that my gran would say. As I write this I can hear the echo of her voice in my head as she says ‘Nnedim, Ezigbo nwa.’
Now I have the great urge to eat from an earthenware pot, to sit on a three-legged stool in the small kitchen back in my village and to watch the pregnant nanny goat as she chewed a portion of yam peels with certainty.
Linda, thank you for taking me down memory lane with today’s prompt. As we remember the heroes in our lives, the heroes past, it comes to my mind to point out that heroes are not only those who fought armed battles but all those who make sacrifices every day to ensure that our future is better. Go and be someone’s hero today.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Quick glossary:
Nnedim – In Igbo language means ‘my husbands’ mother.’ My gran believed in reincarnation and that I’m her mother-in-law who she spoke of with such fondness and love.
Ezigbo Nwa – means ‘good child.’
Folklore, proverbs, and life lessons. Love all three. Memory and family. They go together in both heart and mind.
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Yes they do. Thank you for visiting today 🙂
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Thank you for sharing your memories 🙂 memories are always with us and they keep coming at unexpected moments 🙂
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It’s always interesting when a distant memory surfaces and makes me smile. Thank you 🙂
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You are right, hero’s come in many shapes and forms including ourselves being the hero of our own lives.
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You are right 🙂
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That was lovely, Jackie
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Thank you Diane. Such memories bring me joy as often as possible.
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I loved this post Jacqueline. My father was a gentleman too. Although it is 21 years since he left us I still feel a great sadness. I shall raise a toast for heroes in all their guises.
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The beautiful ones leave their marks and no matter how long they’ve been gone, we always miss them. Thank you Brigid 🙂
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love the ending in particular 🙂
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🙂 The pregnant Nanny goats were fascinating to watch as a child; and they loved to eat.
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I can only imagine. I love your message too :Go and be someone’s hero today.
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Thank you for the warm images you created with your words! I enjoyed that trip!
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Thank you JoAnna. I am happy you like it. There’s nothing like warm memories that you can go in to now and again 🙂
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Our heroes are priceless and always will be. They made us what we are and it’s up to us to carry on their traditions.
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I love the idea of passing on positive traditions 🙂
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Me too.
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So thankful for secure roots much like the ones you describe. My heart bleeds for the neglected child. FB last night had a video of a horribly abused child whose mother was putting him out the door in a rant. He was in my prayers; I guess that’ all I can do. Hopefully some neighbor will recognize him and have mercy.
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That FB post was worrying to read. I truly can’t understand some folks.Thank God I had a different experience growing up.
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I wish all of us had a soft cocoon to start out with.
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I truly wish every child has such cocoon in their lives.
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Wonderful memories you have there , Jacqui. 🙂
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Thank you Judy. Now that I am old, I begin to understand and appreciate these memories a lot 🙂
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You are not at all old Jacqui, you look young and fresh to me! 🙂
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Ha,ha! Some days I feel ancient 🙂
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You and me both Jacqui 🙂
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