68. Make a BIG Mess!

Yes! This is a line from my favorite song (OK, I do have lots of favorites). You can listen to it below:

I grew up in a 2nd or 3rd generation urban post-independence Kenyan home. My mother was reared in a pre-independence rural setup. This was before the beginnings of massive rural-urban migration in search of jobs and pursuit of dreams. I recall mum telling how they walked for miles ,barefoot, to class, how they went to the down to river to fetch water and the grueling ascent back home. She regaled us with tales of her sibling’s cheeky escapades and guilt-tripped us (in equal measure)with the woes of rural life. She’d constantly announce how lucky we were to have a school at the neighborhood — a spitting distance. Or how lucky we were to have several pairs of shoes; sports shoes, school shoes, church shoes…

One thing is common, among my peers and the generation ahead of me, we all testify to a ‘hoarding mentality’ that we had witnessed with our parents. Particularly, our mothers would buy fine sets of China, European crockery and American cutlery which were only unveiled when ‘serious’ guests visited the home. The definition of ‘serious guests’ was not apparent because a year or two would pass without these special plates, spoons and cups being revealed. Meanwhile, the ‘less serious’ house members had to be content with plastic mugs and cups for their meals (digression).

While reflecting on this humorous past (with a few friends) we sympathized with our parents. They aggressively acquired things, only to hoard them, for that sun shiny day or moon shiny guest laden night that rarely came by. They saved their best suits, shoes and dresses for the 25th of December — that grand family reunion that would happen once in what: 2, 3 or 5 years? I do understand; they grew up under tough and scarce circumstances and that this shaped their approach to life.

As an adult, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of simply living. Because life is not all about Achievement, Acquisition or (earth knows what) other A’s and Aces we strive to Accumulate in life.

Life is for living and being.

So in the lyrics of my favorite song:
…Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want but want what you have…