I Reminisce

 1st January, 2022

1st January has for a while now been a happy yet sad one for us, a constant reminder of Granny's birthday and her absence!

You see, I grew up with my grandmom being and doing both my parent's job! (what my parents were doing out there I have no idea!)

The few times (very few indeed. You see, Granny argued that most church goers were very hypocritic, ironically she was a chorister at some point at Wesley Methodist Cathedral) we went to church for the 'pass over night' we would always come back screaming like savages wishing both a happy new year to everyone and a happy birthday to Granny.

I knew she loved it, but she always insist we do not scream like street punks.

I would carry Granny's baking pan and run wild, banging and screaming at the top of my lungs '71 is not an easy job'  

She loved us, we loved and still love her dearly. She was heroic, always suspicious of people, a trait I took in totality! Most times I wonder if my trust issues stems partly from there... 

I learnt independence from her, we all took that, a gift most people unfortunately can only dream of; independence of the mind, if you're wondering which sort!

She and I mostly fell out because I practiced most often the said independence, she termed me a wildcard. She was brave, influential and very powerful (literally a fighter).

She worked in the Nigerian airways as an air hostess, of course she travelled around the globe.

She partied with the likes of Gowon, a former millitary president of Nigeria and I'll tell you this, she made me see Ojukwu as a terrible villian. Ojukwu is known in history for advocating and fighting for the division of Nigeria into two.

It will surprise you to know that Granny played a strong part in the history of Nigeria. During the civil war, she acted as a spy for the Nigerian troops, befriended the biafran soldiers, found out their hide out and helped the Nigerian troops take them out, she was fearless!

She proudly reiterated this story at every opportunity she had.

Although today I have a different view about the war, I totally hail Granny for hers.

Interestingly, while writing this, my sisters walked in to remind me of her birthday.

Happy New Year🎉