Surreal experiences
The other day I invite Jeannie to to our independence day celebration. She has a fondness for African folk and she is more than delighted..whats more she comes to the event and is an instant hit with one and all. Several marriage proposals later, goat ribs and ugali galore and all Kenyan things nice, we conclude the evening with a boogie downtown.
Next day, Jeannie takes me to a Chinese christmas party and its my turn to be a minority. I walk into the room and there's 2 African guys and I think selfishly to myself; I'm not unique anymore:( Quick introductions are made and the party begins. I'm at the corner sorting out the gift exhange when out of nowhere the cutest little girl, piggy tails and all runs towards me shrieking mummy! mummy! and straight into my arms. Shock on my face...stunned silence and looks of chinese wonder all around the room!
I pick up this little wonder and were instant friends! She will allow no one else to feed her save me and honestly anyone watching without knowing what me, would automatically think that she is my baby.
Now incase you were wondering, No, I don't have a baby and have no recollection of having one at some point in the near past or even far past....Im serious..
The little beaut , Aisha, turns out to have grown up without her mum. In the eyes of this 2 year old, being the only African female in the room automatically qualifies me as being her mum. I proceed to play the role for the evening and have a blast at it.
Her story...born to Liberian parents. Her paps and mum split up after she was born and she is stuck with the father. I say stuck because in all the drama you wouldnt have thought he was in the room.He stays put on his sea tall evening long like there was no manana...I digress...They are heading off to hopefully a better future under the UNHCR program after having run away from the conflict...
What was a rather happy evening ends in tears as at the realisation that Im leaving without her, little Aisha gathers up a storm and lo! the screaming and wailing are here...So with a heavy heart I leave...
I end up spending a very disturbed weekend with these sorts of thoughts in my head;
a) Wars & Conflicts are just nasty and those who start them are just plain selfish and heartless. We shouldn't ever have to deal with more. I think the world has had enough of them!
b) Alot of thought should be given to the whole business of getting a baby. If one isn't sure about their partner as THE ONE...think 55 billion times about the consequences and possibilities before indulging oneself
c) Within 1 hr of mothering Aisha, I reaffirmed my belief in the saying 'Delivering a baby is the easiest part of the parenting business. Its in raising them that the true test comes in....
d) And ofcourse the classic concern...What would I do if I had a baby now?!!!!!
Woi! Im still dealing with the Mummy! Mummy! moment..
I can assure you that this was properly surreal...
