PERSONAL CHILDHOOD WEB

 

My grandma, myself, my father, my mother, my younger sister and my uncle



This was my childhood family. 

Grandma (late): Was loving, caring and understanding but strict and firm.  She loved children especially her grandchildren because my father was her only child. She loved me specially being her first grandchild and she took me as the second child she never had.  She gave me the name, Morenikeji, ‘I have seen my second’.

She thought me so many things – morale, politeness, respect for all, and every positive things.  She lived in another town a bit far from where we lived, but she always come at intervals and any time she was around; she plait my hair for me, told me moonlight stories and proverbs.  She thought me how to make design on clothes with needle and thread, even how to spit in-between the front two teeth.

Everything i learnt from her are still very relevant in my life today and i am teaching my children.  This has greatly impacted my life because i believe i can do all things by the grace of God.

Father (late): Was very jovial with a very high sense of humour.  Once he took me to school for entrance examination into secondary school and after the exam the principal stood to address the parents who crowded round her.  She was of small stature and she became overwhelmed by the sourge of the crowd, so she started by apologising that her voice was not very high.  As if he was expecting the comment, my father shouted, “Ma, i volunteer to carry you on my shoulder so that everyone would see you”.  Everyone bursted into laughter.  He was loving, caring and understanding, but a disciplinarian.  He wanted me always be at my best, hence, he strove to give me the best.

Whenever there was need for parents to show up in my school, my father was always there – he knew he would always receive positive feedback about me.  At every prize giving day, my father was always around – he knew i must get a minimum of two prizes.  When i gained admission into higher institution, my father went with me on the first day and visit subsequently.

My father has really impacted my life in the way i view life and value people around me.

Mother: My mum was almost of the same character and nature with my dad, but not as loving and caring to me.  Mum was very active and energetic.  Always ready to do her chores without involving anyone.  She loves doing her cooking and calling all for food afterwards.  My mum was never appreciative of what i do, thereby, rendering it meaningless.

My mum’s behaviour to me has helped me to realise and grow with the knowledge that no matter what you do you can not be appreciated by all, however, just move on with life.

 Aunt:

My aunt (Iyabode)



My aunt and I on my wedding day at the registry



  

  

This is my paternal aunt.  Aunt Iyabode.  She is my father’s immediate junior sister though not the same mother with my father (now late).  Being the two eldest in the family, they were very close and fond of each other, at least we children still witnessed this.  She is very kind, jovial and always ready to assist.  I, being the first grand child of the family, she welcomed me with love and it has always been so.  She named me ‘Aramide’, meaning, ‘my own person has come’, and this is name she always call me. 

She advises me on what to do and what not to.  She encouraged me when when i was of marriageable age and i found the one i love.  Although my parents, initially opposed it because we were not of the same religious background, my aunt stood firmly behind me and invited me to do the wedding at her place because “none of my children will wed outside the family house.” She said.

The statement and the act of wedding in her compound has continued to impact my present life because it earned me and my family respect before my in-laws.

Teacher: Mr. Arthur was my class teacher in primary one.  He was a very understanding man who was ready to impart knowledge into all concerned.  His method of teaching was very explanatory.  He made me fell in love with education instantly and he was always eager to read my home work, setting it as example for all.

Once he asked me to call my parents and my father volunteered to take me to school before going to work.  After exchanging plesantaries, and talking in big grammar (for a primary one pupil), i heard him say to my father, “she is a promising child”.  Afterwards, I asked my father what it meant, the meaning pleased me and has impacted my life.  It made me believe every positive things about myself.