My memories of my father rushed like a storm at me today. Memories of different phases in my life. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I am at least 14 thousand kilometers away from the place where he is being buried today. Away from my siblings and relatives who are experiencing the same depth of sorrow and grief, sitting around a fire and sharing memories of the man. Here I sit, away also from other friends, relatives and associates in other geographic locations, who have been touched by or crossed paths with my father in one way or another. 'Well, whatever the reason, sitting here and writing this felt like a natural way for me share in that company glimpses that I remember in my journey with my father. I remember how primary school ended at 12 o´clock during the day. My friends and I would run home, have lunch and continue to play until our legs turned white with dust (shena). Later, a few kilometers away, at exactly four o´clock, the Railway factory would blow its loud toot, to signal the end of the working day. Workers on bicyles or foot would march out of the factory towards home. My father was very social, all the way up until his last days. He would usually pass by the bottle store and have a few beers with workmates and others alike before coming home. When he came home , he usually had with him a pocket full of sweets (candy) or a packet of Willards´ potato chips for me and my little brother Simeon, We enjoyed the chips and sang the rhyme of Zsa,Zsa the starlet, Mama Chompkin... written on the back of the foil chips packet. I remember how my father would empty his pockets on the "coffee table" and tell us to pick out not the bills, but the spare coins for ourselves. We bought ball gums and "Dandy" chewing gum on the next day. I remember my father hugging me and the pricky feeling on my chicks caused by his beard growing back after the last shave. I remember listening to the music my father played during weekends on his "Tempest" venyl player, booming Jimmy Hendrix, Culture, Thin Lizzy, Bob Marley, music that I also picked up and enjoyed listening to, together with him in my adult life. I remember the first day I came home drunk as a teenager, trying to hide it but threw up just moments after entering the house. My father came to me the next morning as I sat in shame and told me a lesson, not to drink alcohol until I was sure I could affort it by myself and drink at my own pace, otherwise I would risk being a "gupa" (leech), a name given to mock people who love to drink but only wait for others to buy for them. My father loved reading books. His favourite book was The Godfather by Mario Puzzo. No surprise, he named me, his first born son Santino, the godfather´s firstborn son. He also loved John Grisham novels, his favourite was A Time to Kill. Like most in his generation, he loved westerns or cowboy movies as one might call them. The movie he spoke the most about was "Guns for San Sebastian". He named my youngest brother Sebastian. I have many memories I would love to share around this virtual fire, but this is enough from me for now. Like any normal person sitting around a fire, I should give a chance to others to share their own memories as well. It can be memories to celebrate the life of Jacob Zhakata or any other father you wish. I reserve the comments section below for you to share your story around this fire, in honor of fathers.
8 Comments
Hanna
1/16/2021 09:22:38
Så fint att läsa om dina minnen av din far.
Reply
Santino
1/16/2021 12:15:59
Tack Hanna för feedback! Det känns bra att få höra.
Reply
Pedro Milanzi
1/16/2021 13:43:24
My deepest condolences Mr Santino, I met Mr Zhakata once when Mama left us about 9 years ago,I remember him as a positive man even in dark moments.
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Santino
1/21/2021 16:37:59
Thanks for sharing Pedro, and for the positive words.
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Wimbainashe
1/16/2021 15:13:17
We thank God for the time we had with him
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Santino
1/21/2021 16:39:24
Your words are positive and comforting, Wimbainashe.
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Patricia Chipangura
1/16/2021 16:30:58
Oh I am so sorry about your loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Reply
Santino
1/21/2021 16:40:53
Thanks for the hopeful and comforting words
Reply
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AUTHORI am Santino Zhakata, born in Zimbabwe, living in Sweden. I do a lot of writing, photography , blogging and website creation for fun and for profit. My fields of expertise include teaching and tutoring English via distance or face to face. I also specialise in communication for development. Welcome to my blog, feel free to share your thoughts.
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