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Category: Blog Posts
Do Not, Offend me
Photo credit: choosingwisdom.org The rant Do not offend meI am them; I am theyI am she; I am heI am known; I am mysteryI am myself; I am not myself I do not know who I am Do not offend meI am ageing; I am youthfulI am ageless; I am growing I’m vibrant; I am … Continue reading Do Not, Offend me
Life, Love and Grief: Why my Father was my Rescuer
My father saved me from being thrown away at birth, which makes me grateful to be alive! Today, I honour my father. Were it not for him, I would still be digging up sweet potatoes in the village. Now, I do enjoy digging up sweet potatoes. The trouble with that however, is the only thing … Continue reading Life, Love and Grief: Why my Father was my Rescuer
Face and body butter: My ultimate all rounder.
An versatile body butter, who would not like? A friend has been hounding me for this recipe since I introduced her to the delights, convenience and luxury of this butter. Have you ever slathered something on your face that felt like comfort, like an embrace? Well, this is it, I finally got to it (sorry … Continue reading Face and body butter: My ultimate all rounder.
She is fearful, she is courageous. And she wants to be known.
I close my eyes, but sleep will not come. There are voices in my head. Her voices. Vibrant, sad, urgent, passionate. She wants to be heard. She has a pained smile, a fearless gaze, softened by the love in her heart.There is understanding in her eyes.Her hair is sometimes covered, sometimes blue, sometimes curly, sometimes … Continue reading She is fearful, she is courageous. And she wants to be known.
As an African child I grew up romanticising America, and now I am in mourning.
The green card. That was everyone’s dream and scoring one was like winning the lottery, but better. Growing up in rural Kenya 2 ½ hours drive outside Nairobi, we spoke of America in reverent tones. America was generous. She was kind. She sent plenty of USAID in corn oil and dried yellow corn to keep … Continue reading As an African child I grew up romanticising America, and now I am in mourning.
Has the anger found you yet?
A great deal of angerIs wisping aboutIt’s on the clouds and on the cablesAnd in the open sky It’s even in the sunshineNow blazing, now blindingNow too far away To ignite our smouldering resilienceOr thaw our frosty common sense A great deal of angerIs wisping aboutAgitating restlessnessStirring discontentDecimating our power in the moment What has … Continue reading Has the anger found you yet?
How an analogy of trees can explain ethnicity, race and people of colour to children
Socotra bottle treeWisteria vine, JapanStrangler Fig. Guangxi, China “The one with a burnt face! I’m talking to the girl with a burnt face.” Quipped a child pointing at me in a busload of teachers and school children during my early days in a new school as a teacher. (No, I do not have a burnt … Continue reading How an analogy of trees can explain ethnicity, race and people of colour to children
Air-hugs? Yeah, you gave a few today
“Air huuuug!” said a friend walking gleefully towards my 5-year-old at the start of social distancing rules. “No!” he said emphatically. “The government said no hugs because of the virus!”. We looked at each other wondering where he had learnt that from. He had found the virus at school the previous day. It was ‘just … Continue reading Air-hugs? Yeah, you gave a few today
and on this day, at this moment, you became mother!
Ever knocked to be admitted into 'Motherhood County'? Admission is messy. It’s risky. It’s contentious and vulnerable. It is beautiful! It dissects your pain-strewn brain into rivulets of inexplicable joy and pride and fear and hope and a thousand dreams, so that you cannot say why you can be so sore and so happy. It … Continue reading and on this day, at this moment, you became mother!
Something To Give 