Surviving the African Parent

  The pantry in my grandma's house has everything. It's the food store of the house. Rather, it's more like a mini supermart. Snacks, rice, beans, canned foods even a saw. You might be thinking... "What's so special about that? My store has all those stuff too" That's all fine and good, but does your house store have the aforementioned things in cartons organized by brand? That's right, my grandma's pantry has Milo AND Ovaltine, two brands of spaghetti in different cartons, three brands of 'ogi' (pap, a semi solid food resembling custard) that come in yellow, pink and white   as well as TWO BRANDS OF OATS! COMING IN SIX DIFFERENT FLAVOURS !!! Can YOUR pantry beat that? I didn't think so. Its such a tiny place, i t's a miracle how everything can fit in. In the time I explored it, I found a saw, a set of cooking pots, a can opener, a knife sharpener, several coolers, trash bags and so much more. Don't get me wrong, it's an awe...

   As a kid, the biggest kind of party for me, was a surprise party. I tried to do it so often for my parents, I'm sure the real surprise was the year the 'surprise' party didn't come. As a result, I planned a surprise for my grandpa. I saved up what little money I had to buy some presents and I card from my siblings and I. I hid them in his room and finally, I instructed my brothers not to tell him happy birthday until a certain time.  The plan sank faster than metal in water. My brother wished him happy birthday hours before the surprise was fully ready (I was still making decorations for his room) my other brother followed soon after (TRAITORS) Suddenly, I was the bad kid and he definitely ripped me a new one. After I raged in private and calmed down... To be honest, I don't really remember much after that, but I probably showed him all my efforts- perhaps a but sullenly. What memories do you have with your grandparents?

It somehow always ended up being more snack and toy shopping than anything. In those times, I got balloons, candy and a teddy bear (not a tiny bear, one of those huge ones you can barely wrap your arms around as a kid.) She is pink and her name is Rosy. I got all kinds of cookies, chocolates and biscuits. It was awesome! Now that was the life! Those days always ended up the same way... My siblings and I would eat the cookies listening to my grandad's tales of the tortoise and all his adventures. It was truly the life.

  My grandma is awesome! And practical. As she goes into the mall, she know exactly what she wants. She goes straight to it- no dillying, no dallying. Okay, maybe just a little bit of dallying. I'm sure it's a sight to see... My grandma walking briskly through the store and me pushing the cart behind her waddling like an overgrown baby. We've had a lot of fun times that way. Me singing nursery rhymes. me pretending I'm skiing down the aisles, me dancing, ... come to think of it... I think I was the one that had fun. I don't think grandma minded as long as i pushed the cart though. We make a great pair!