The can-opener

I was just opening a can of jam that's been in my cupboard for over a month now and my mind delved down to my childhood memories. Despite everything, I had a lovely childhood. All the games we played: house, tennis (our own version which involved jumping and ducking the ball whilst earning points), "being Boom Shaka", ofcourse I was Lebo. I enjoyed being a child. Growing up at the prime of shebeen-ownership made life all the more exciting, I didn't need to try sneak in, I just had to wait until Friday night and my whole family would go to Aus'Betty's.There we'd find many other families, women sitting there to ensure that by the end of the night the man has given the weekly sustenance allowance before "boxing up" the remainder. The joys of the new millenium. I remember I had read a book whilst visiting my grandparents called 'The nightingales' and it felt like (after reading the book) all the excitement of Sophiatown had translated into the age of my upbringing. Or atleast I had become conscious of it. The music, the fashion, everything. I grew up in a generation of experimentalists, I remember watching movies on video. Reading various local magazines. Watching Yotv and Tube. I had a lovely childhood.

So many special memories. The number of times my dad changed his beers brands, initially he only drank Hansa, then Black Label, then both. In the years leading to his passing he drank Castle Light. Interesting to me that never a Castle, a normal Castle Lager. He said he hated the taste.

Why am I reminiscing? Well it took a can opener to take me there, see- every time I grab my can opener I'm reminded of my dad and the weekends with  my family. He was paid on Fridays, but sometimes he would not give mom the 'allowance', then on Saturday afternoon he would come home with about 4 cans, a mixture of: baked beans, peas, spaghetti in tomato sauce and artchaar. And he would mix everything together and that would be our lunch. We called the meal "Spai-kos", whatever that means! My mom would be so angry, saying did he think this would be food for the week. Though this would often end up in a fight, just the memory of everything is just so beautiful to me. How far we've come.

Today I was just thinking about my life, about where I want to be. I've met someone. You know yesterday I did the weirdest thing- I normally buy a big tub of yoghurt, but instead I got the small 6-pack. Reminds me of home.