TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM HOME...

I had a very good life growing up, now that I think about it. I had a home, loads of loving family, friends, toys and fun. So, in retrospect, I do not understand why I ever considered running away from home. At the time, I was upset by the chores I had to do and thought I was being maltreated. Please, ask me what chores I had. My job was to clean the dust from glass louver windows. That was it! No dishes. No laundry. No nothing. My 3 year old, Bomboy, has more chores than I did at that time. haha. And yet, at 7 or 8, I thought I had cause to complain, lol!!!!

So, one day, I got the bright idea to run away. I thought to myself that I would simply go hide out in the garage for long enough to make my mom nervous and appreciate me more. I also was convinced that she would then cut out all chores (yes, the hefty one chore I had at the time) an never again give me raw shrimp to peel and de-vein (I will never forget that night. I no know wetin I take do for vex the woman sef).

And so, I announced to my mom that I would be running away. She asked me where I planned on going and I told her that I would go stay with one of our family members because she didn't love me. In typical Naija-momsy fashion, Shine Shine simply smiled and uttered the following words, "Oya, go."

I couldn't believe she called my bluff. I mean, how dare she???? But, I maintained my stiff upper lip and as I pivoted on my heels, my mother issued a simple warning. She informed me that no matter where I went, I would be returned to her house. And then she said the words that could only but instill complete trepidation in Nigerian children at the time. "Don't let gbomo gbomo catch you as you head off on your journey."

AHHHHH! I cannot lie, I was scared out of my mind. Gbomo gbomo were the menace of my Lagos  childhood and were known for stealing children and either selling them or using them as part of juju concoction. *horror* Still, I bravely went to the garage, where I drowned in the sorrow of my failed plans and cried myself to sleep. When I woke up, it was getting dark and I went into the house to have dinner. I was not chastised and thankfully, was not spanked.

My friend, Pharaoh O, told me about his own runaway attempt that is pure hilarity. The guy tried to run away at the mature age of 13. Not only did his momsy tell him to carry leg and commot from her house, but she also went through his run-away bag. She pointed out to him that the shirts, underwear, and trousers in the bag were purchased by her and thus, her property. Pharaoh O made it as far as the gateman's house, where he had to wait for his father to return from work. His daddy pleaded on his behalf and got him back in the house, lol!

What were we thinking? Some children really have cause to run away. Pharaoh and I didn't.

Na wa.

Did you ever consider running away from home as a kid? Did you try? *grabs popcorn to hear the sordid details*

Have a great week folks.