FEATURE STORY
of Shadows
by Kaone Tlagae
July 22nd, 1990.
Bliss.
My folks got married, my brother Chukwuemeka, conceived
barely two months later. I was on the tail end of my childhood
years, living a life that can be construed as glamorous through
the lens of an ordinarily, below average person.
My mother was a petite, enormously loving homemaker and my
father, a giant, towering figure whose muscles sworn, even when
he was asleep. He was the typical, African man with a character
deeply marinated in ancient ancestral beliefs and customs with
which he led the family.
My brother and I were acquainted with my mother because of
her demure character reflected in the gentle and mild
Countenance with which she approached everyone. She was a
calm soul, cast a few words on rare occasions and only when
necessary. We were the traditional type of family where
children and parents had clearly set boundaries and with my
father working as a military man; we became more estranged to
his presence because he was rarely home due to his extensive
traveling. Although, we knew very well of how much he was fond
of his family.
He came once in a while, and whenever he was around, the home
became complete.