Mom said when Kay was born, dad threw a big party. It was one of the biggest naming ceremonies in the neighbourhood, literarily everybody was invited and dad must have been the happiest man on Earth.

”Kayode was a strong baby”, she said one evening at dinner. ”One time he fell off the chair and didn’t even cry, he eats well too”. The fact that native Yorubas naturally take pride in their first born males (if not much but a little) more than the others should be studied. Okay, maybe I’m a little jealous.

The three of us laughed that night, mine being the loudest because I knew what she was going to say next- how I was not like him, that I ate like a rat and that I’ll never find a suitor if I remain lanky like a broomstick and she did. Not that I’ve got psychic powers but if you live with my mum long enough you can guess her response to certain things especially ones she’s not a fan of.

I wonder, if my parents had known from the day Kay was born, that he was a sickle cell but I know they knew blood genotype was a thing. As Kay grew, the symptoms became evident and extended family members began to know. Mum was a full housewife when we were younger so she was able to monitor all of his activities and keep him out of harm’s way.

Dad’s elder sister, Iya Kamil blames mum for Kay’s condition like blood genotype didn’t depend on both parents. Funny how my parents still explored childbearing after kay. That or I was a mistake because thankfully, I was AS. I also wonder if they would have continued having children if Dad was still alive. Call me Fimi, the wonderer.

My maternal grandmother was around most of the time after we moved down to Ibadan. She usually prepared for us school in the mornings and helped babysit when mum was out working. After Grandpa died, she decided to stay permanently.

I remember times she tried persuading mom to remarry, but not my mum, that hard-headedness runs in the family. At least there’s no attempt that I know of ( or not yet). She still missed dad like the rest of us. I miss Grandma too.

My family has always been an important part of my life. Some people grow up without them, others with family around or a few extended families. To me, family’s more than those related to us by blood or marriage. Like you and me.

I think this is enough storytelling for one day. Till we meet again.

I remain yours (or not)

Fimi