As I walked through the market one evening, I was lost in thought of my late grandmother. She was someone I stayed with while growing up and I loved her so much. As I walked down quietly with my head down, I was hit with a smell of nostalgia. This familiar smell transported me to back to my childhood.
Grandma was a lover of books. Even in her old age, she'd always pick up books to read. My dad had to get her reading glasses as a result of the love she developed for books.
Grandma would call me to sit by her side and then, she'd read out stories to me. Some times, she read other motivational books to me, too.
As a child, she had always wanted to go to school and become a teacher because of her love for children and her passion to pass knowledge to them. At the age of 10, her father stopped her from school and married her off to a man old enough to be her father three years later.
At the age of 13, Grandma didn't know what marriage was all about and when her father gave her off to the man, she had no idea what was happening.
Little did she know that her dream was shattering right before her eyes.
She told me what happened that night and how the man pressed her against the bed, not minding her screams. The next day, she discovered she was the man's 10th wife. It was even more shameful to her when she saw the man's three daughters who were her age mates. I used to wonder what her father was thinking when he did that to her.
At the age of 15, Grandma had given birth to my father and years later, she had 6 more children. Her husband died and she had nothing left, all his children asked her to leave the house.
After she was able to train all her children, including my dad, she enrolled for adult education. It took time before she was able to read and write properly.
Since she could no longer teach in a school as she dreamed of, she decided to take me as her student. Everyday, the room smelled of books. If you read books a lot, I know you will be able to relate to its smell. Grandma made me love books.
The next day, I decided to visit the house, even though Grandma is no more. I just wanted to perceive the smell again and probably, see if I could remember more things I learned from her.
On getting there, I opened the door and the familiar smell greeted me. I stood at the door, inhaling the air like it was the aroma of a delicious food being cooked.
I walked around the room, touching the books in her shelves. Even though they were dusty, they were properly arranged, just the way she loved them.
Something caught my attention. I saw a box in a corner. It was adorned with delicate patterns and it looked like it hadn't been opened in years.
I gently opened the box and I saw a note written for me. "Dear Sam, I want you to know that I love you and you're my favourite student."
Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes, as I realized that the box had been kept for me for a long time. I remembered the way she would smile at me each time I asked her questions and how she would hug me wrap her hands tightly around me, telling me how much she loved me.
I'm grateful for a Grandma like her. She made my childhood beautiful and each time I remember my childhood, I am more grateful that I spent them with her.
All images were generated from Bing
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
This is so beautiful, I couldn't get enough of how you narrated the story. Early marriage like your grandma's is what we pray it ends but somehow it still happens somewhere today.
Good you have such a beautiful memory of her, I'm not so familiar with the scent of books but I know what it means to love a particular smell.
I'm grateful for this wonderful comment. Thanks for reading through.
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I felt emotional while reading your story, I can imagine what your grandma experienced in her childhood, that means, her childhood was stolen from her, it's one ugly thing a child should not experience. I must say, she was a strong woman and it's good you have beautiful memories you both shared.
Hmmm...the smell of books, I think I am familiar with that smell, some libraries do have the smell and study rooms at times too.
It's unfortunate that even in the present age, some female children are being given out in marriage and I wonder when it would stop.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Popped in from Dreemport, being a #dreemerforlife
Thanks for reading through.
You're welcome.
I'm jealous here...
I never stayed with people that love reading books. All we do is farm, farm and farm. Lol😂
!BBH
I'm also jealous here,because I had no opportunity to stay in the village, where I could go to farm because I like anything that has to do with farming. 😄
You like farming things?
Calm down. The farming I referred to isn't the backyard farm that you go and come back within 1hr
Of course, I am not referring to backyard farming. I mean real farming.😊
Your Content Is Awesome so I just sent 1 $BBH(9/20)@fisam23! (Bitcoin Backed Hive) to your account on behalf of @kingsleyy.
Thanks for this.
Awwww grandma's are the sweetest 🥰😍❤️.. The one most important thing about marrying into a family that loves you is so your children can have story like this to tell about their Kins. Your grandma was amazing doing a good job and leaving with you an amazing childhood memory.
#dreemerforlife
Thanks for the engagement!
You are welcome 😌
It's always a memorable time to spend with grandparents they preach love and unity all the time, you had an amazing grandmother.
Popped in from Dreemport, always an awesome #dreemerforlife.
Thanks for reading through.
Your grandma sure made your childhood beautiful. 😊😊
#dreemerforlife
Yea yeah, she really did.