WHEN I REMEMBER 2024

 

I was thinking this morning..... the last Sunday of 2024. Wow! It's already the end of another year, just like that. While reflecting on the past 362 days and how tough the year had been, I couldn't but recall past difficult seasons that were unforgettable in my growing up years. Specific events in the way we adjusted to life in the past had become symbolic landmarks of tough times in my life.

During our growing up years, we ate together as children and did not have the luxury of each child having a piece of meat or fish to himself or herself. We shared, most times, two persons to a piece. I was always paired with my elder brother. One austere fish those days was the Sole fish (which is called 'Ebolibo' in Itsekiri). The fish is fleshy on the top side, with virtually no flesh at the bottom. My smart brother will trick me that to ensure equality, he will eat the top side while I eat the bottom. It was only after he had enjoyed 95% of the fish that I realised that there was nothing left for me. From that personal experience, Ebolibo fish became a symbol of oppression for me. When I remember the Sole fish (Ebolibo), I think of nothing but oppression.

We survived long spells of lack in those days. If my parents were to feed all seven of us, then they must be creative. It was the creativity that resulted in the dish we called Benco.' Benco is a combination of leftover rice and beans, cooked with palm oil without protein. Benco was a common meal in our home in tough times. To date, when I remember Benco, I remember what poverty tastes like.

Oh, Alakpa! Jokingly called 'Alas' by my mum. Alakpa is a soup of light stew with a little okro. It originated from a deep lack when all else had failed to raise the money to cook fresh soup. When water is added to the leftover stew and mixed with cooked okro, Alakpa is born. My siblings and I hated this meal, but unless we wanted to go to bed hungry, we had to eat it. In the words of my brother, Alakpa is a very painful meal. I remember Alakpa in a painful way.

When you look back at 2024, what do you remember? Pain or joy? Whichever way 2024 has turned out for you, just know that this too shall turn to you for a testimony (Luke 21:13). For me I align with the words of the 1992 song of Shirley Ceaser titled 'I remember mama.' Despite the highs and lows, the successes and disappointments, I remember 2024 in a happy way.

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy last Sunday of 2024!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey