On this day, some decades back, my mother was stuck in struggle for the most appropriate name to give her infant child. Wondering and fearing, several names like fame severed her comfort. The village Igwe had just joined his ancestors and her beloved husbands choice name for her son was Igwe - King. Scared to death she objected. If only the Dibia (village spiritualist) had kept his prophesies within the confines of his shrine, todays Chi would have both a different sound, spelling and pronunciation. Mbanu! Mama wasnt the woman to be easily persuaded. Even with the promise of travelling to Lagos and having her own private motorcycle. God knows every woman in her days desired to live in Lagos (their America), and cherished the motorcycle. But her reaction contradicted those of the typical Igbo woman. Not when the Dibia had prophesied her son wouldnt clock 20. Days passed. Villagers gathered, dined and whined to a childs birth and naming. But a distant uncle assailed himself against the warnings of the Umunna to name his son Igwe. The coming days in history would witnessed the burial of that innocent boy. He didnt make it alive to his 15th day on earth. Today, Mamas child is over 30. Not very handsome though, but hes a grown man now. Yes, the thought of writing something unique and captivating about myself crossed the mind this morning. But how possible would that be without the woman who fed and nurtured a boy into a man? At 30, I was noisy and lousy. But a step above 30, and Im reflective, and pensive. Because, like many before me had said, Life isnt fun and game. Today, my name (my mothers chosen name), has shaped me. It is who I am. The summation of my personality. And the realization of what I will become. She projected, years before Ill work the paths of men, the man I will become. And so today, I celebrate my mum even as the world celebrate me. Happy birthday to me. *** Phone convo *** Mum: Happy birthday Chi! (Shocked) Me: Mummy, it is not today o! Mum: I know, it is on the 22nd. Me: Yes ke! Mum: I want to wish you early before your friends start wishing you. Me: Hian! Ok...kontinu! :D And on a final note: America must know! :D
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:24:42 +0000
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