dyton mupawaenda
Fadzayi Maposah-Correspondent
We are already in the festive season. People are determined to have a good time. There is so much risk taking place in different areas!
Radios are louder than usual, as if the hearing has been affected in some ways. When the festive season ends some people may be counting the losses.
While the festive season mood is very important for people who consider it an opportunity to rewind after a lot of work during the year, it can take its toll on the finances.
When the season is over people will be rebuking themselves for getting carried away. Enjoy, but realise that there is a tomorrow that has more financial commitments. I am not here to burst your fun bubbles…
Most people have travelled from near and far to be with family and friends. Many homes are full of members who have been saving for the trip so as to be with loved ones.
Most of these people are adults who for the greater part of the time, stay on their own or have great control of what happens, when it happens and how it happens.
Let me give you an example from my life. There was a time where I used to eat my meals in reverse. No, it was not a diet plan. I am not a diet person. I always admire those who embark on diets and are faithful. I digress.
Let me go back to eating my meals in reverse. The reason why I had embarked on eating my meals in reverse was because I did not want to worry about getting lunch while at work. I would be full and would be wondering what the fuss was about around lunchtime when people would be getting food.
You know when you are full when people talk about getting food, you just tell yourself NA- non applicable.
So early in the morning I would cook sadza or rice and have it with left over relish from supper the previous night. The thing with this plan was that I was supposed to be up early so that I would have adequate time for preparation and eating. I had fresh sadza because I am not a chimunya ( left over and reheated sadza) person!
During the day, I would just be drinking water as I would be full. Late afternoon I would have a fruit or a snack and then at night I would have a cup of tea and a sandwinch or a bun or two!
This went on for sometime and I was content with how my life went. Then one day, I just did not want to do it anymore!You can blame it on the hormones!
I got tired of having to dedicate much time to preparation and eating a full meal. I had to sit down and eat. It is a different routine from a grab and go breakfast! Cautiously I would eat incase hurrying would lead to soiled clothes and slow down everything!
I remember visiting my sister Tendi when I was on a ball with my reversed meals. She then offered me breakfast, bread, eggs and tea.
I remember how shocked she was when I told her that I had become a sadza in the morning person. As I ate my food, I attempted to explain what my morning food routine was like. I told her though not to worry as I still ate bread and eggs!
Why am I sharing this? It is applicable this festive season since families are together. There will be ana Fadzi, anaTendi at the family gatherings. Each one will have an idea of what should be at each meal.
During the course of the year some will have stopped eating some products, while others may have started eating other products. You may be surprised or shocked like Tendi, but it is important not to turn the family gathering into an interrogation platform without the approval of the police!
Gatherings are always about compromise and accommodating one another and the differences that each individual presents.
Whatever happens at the family gathering as long as it is minor just whisper to yourself “I am just here for a few days! I can handle some of these things. When it gets out of hand, I will express myself well.”
What is also important is to understand that everyone should pull their weight during the family gatherings otherwise some people will leave not refreshed but tired in all aspects.
While we are on holiday, hormones never go on holiday. A female relative may start her menstruation journey at the family gathering. There is no need to infringe the young girl’s rights by sharing with all family members what has happened and calling for a family celebration if the one affected would rather keep it hush.
There are some topics that should not be brought to the sitting area. These topics include asking what contraceptive one is on that may have contributed to weight changes. There is no need to ask your sister in law if she is on Jadelle just because she has gained weight from the last time. Neither should you ask if she is expecting since she is not on Jadelle!
Neither are family gatherings a platform to ask in the presence of everyone if your nephew finally went for circumcision since you encouraged him the last time you were together. Or asking since HIV self test kits are now readily available, how many family members have used them!
This festive season create happy memories and do not be the one who is dreaded by the clan! You do not need to know everything about everyone to fully love them. Neither are you obliged to share everything about yourself, explaining that you need to take an antibiotic on time since you have a yeast infection!
Happy holidays to each one of you!
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter