Dear Mama Nalongo,
While watching you attempt to teach the twins how to bake and get caught in the eye of the storm of a flour and cookie dough food fight, something stirred in me that I thought had died. In that moment in time I was caught in a domestic scene that sent me sailing through memories of the last 15 years.
The beautiful fresh faced campus girl who smiled at me across a bonfire, who teased about my social awkwardness, had me playing a cat and mouse game before she finally accepted to go out on a date and the sturdy female who held my hand and helped me study when I failed my finals.
When you said yes to me under that mango tree in the front yard of our first tiny rental apartment, it was I who had struck gold. Over the years amidst troublesome in-laws, health scares, money trouble, temptations and differentiating opinions I may have lost sight of what was standing right in front of me.
I know I last wrote one of these when Nyangoma and Kato were born (I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you find this). I thought I would go all chessy and tell you how complete you make me, how I still think you look sexy even when you fret over your stretch marks and no matter how mad I am at you, I still want to kiss you when I walk through the door everyday.
I usually let you bully me because it makes you happy and God knows how much I love your smile. My heart sometimes still does that thump thump sound when you touch me and when other men ogle you I am torn between pride and the cave man complex to smash their eyeballs for daring to look at that which is mine.
Did I mention what an excellent mother to our little troublemakers and although I don’t agree with you spanking them, I know you would trudge through a zombie apocalypse to get them. Besides where else can get a partner to do the Beyonce’s part in Bonnie & Clyde while I rap like Jay Z.
Although we don’t fit in the hip generation crowd anymore, I though I would go all Cam’ron on you and go “Hey Ma, can you be my Valentine ?”
I am thankful, blessed and lucky to share this journey. Estarás siempre en mi corazón.
PS: You know how I like that red dress with the thing-in-front I can’t pronounce.
Love,
Taata Salongo
Written by
A girl looking to make a stamp in this lifetime.....an enigma, foodie, reader, writer, Scorpio, Ankole Warrior Princess, self confessed food-aholic, aspiring pastry chef, Victoria Secret obsessed, restaurant owner, October baby.......and of course, lover of life.
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I love this piece, looking forward to such love some day.