Dada neRudzi Rwako

Looking back in my childhood years, I do not remember having my birthday celebrated or having a party thrown for me. Most of us ,we always had to remind our parents of our birthdays to which they would normally answer back with ‘unofunga kuti ndakagadzirwa ne Mari here ini?’. Growing up, if you had chikendikeke brought for your birthday, it was like celebrating with an entire 3 tier cake in front of you, the happiness would be indescribable I tell you.That night, dinner would be the normal sadza and haifiridzi and then bed.Tomorrow morning it would be another new day, you would not even recall how you never got presents or a birthday cake because there was always enough to be thankful for. We grew up in the toughest situations, it was like being put through the fire for panel beating. We were such a happy and joyful generation then, problems never moved us and even if we knew there was no bread in the bread-bin for tomorrow ,that never stopped us from bubbling with joy.Sometimes we would not know where our next relish for sadza would come from ,but still there was happiness in our families, and of course we would never sleep on an empty stomach because by sun set , the neighbours would send someone with fresh vegetables or meat as if they knew their neighbour’s situation. We learnt to live on the little we had and appreciated every bit of it. We learnt to work hard to achieve anything in life and were never spoilt or spoon fed. I remember how our parents used to wake us up at 6am to start house work, even if the house helper was there, we would halve jobs and help each other. Now I understand why our generation is full of hardworking , educated and determined people. It’s because of our tough upbringing and the words of wisdom that were constantly instilled in us on a daily basis.I am grateful for the way we were brought up and would never have it any other way. Here we are, as strong as steel, tackling each day  with hope and perseverance, achieving every goal all the way.