Nostalgia Of The Little Me: My Favorite Childhood Place

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What is your most favorite place from childhood?

My most favorite place from childhood is “my mom's kitchen.” Do you now know where my love for food came from?

Kitchen is one of the interesting places in the house. The joy of watching meals being prepared, celebrating the love in sharing and the togetherness it brings made me smile at all times.

I loved to be in the kitchen especially when irregular meals are been prepared by my mom. The way she starts, the going processes and the ending part brings made understanding that the kitchen is a place where flavours can be turned into moments and bring people together.

This favorite place of mine was so interesting that I never missed any episode there. Sometimes, I even make the magic happen; pounding pepper with mortar and making some sound with it, washing plates and breaking some, they were all moments of experience with fun.

Where was this place located and why was it special to you?

Our kitchen was right inside the main building. It was just after the sitting room. This place was special to me because it made me smile. My mom always has a story or two to share as she cooks.

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She either tells stories of her siblings or story of a kitchen experience she once had and with all the laughter I get, why won't I always want to be in the kitchen? The kitchen was spacious, tidied, flavourful, aromatic and breathtaking.

I remember eating African salad with my mom from the mortar. I sat on the floor as we ate and that moment was so special because it doesn't come all the time but once a while.

What kind of activities or memories are connected to this place?

The kitchen we all know to be a place where meals are prepared right? Private and special meals were made in the kitchen by my mom, she has this style of cooking.

First, she would prepare every ingredients needed for the cooking and set them well in a tray and set aside before setting her pot on fire. She loves stories, like every ingredient that would enter my mom's pot has got a story. I listened carefully to each piece as she narrates her story.

When I remember my mom's kitchen, I remember laughter, stories, happiness, togetherness, love, support and care. Each episode played just like yesterday through my mind. Those times were and still unforgettable.

Who was usually with you there, and which memory from this place is the most precious to you?and what deeper meaning does it carry in your life today?

My mom was always there with me. She was the president of this department and she delivered so well.

The memory of story telling, sharing, and mixing flavours were the most precious to me. Any day my mom never ended a story,I would remind her to complete it the next day because I always want to hear the end. The sharing part was so sweet with my mom, she calls it division of labour. She assigns some work to me as she does hers and before the meal was done, we were both ready.

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The mixing of flavours was authentic. I imagined the comfort it gave, the pleasantness it brought, and the stories it created. Since my mom loves natural spices, it made me develop love for more meals rooted to my culture.

In my life today, I celebrate my native meals more because of the light it brings, and creates beautiful memories. The peace it carries each time I eat from it, is what shaped my life into this peaceful me today.

How does this place still influence your emotions or life today?

Well, this place has a big touch in my life, I don't think I can easily forget all that happened in the kitchen during my childhood because it was just a lot to forget.

Today, I still believe in storytelling as I cook, I usually do that with my friend because she's a story lover and so while I cook, she listens to all my story lines. It has become a part of my life and even while at home with my mom, I now tell the stories while she listens.

The mixing of flavours gave me that impression that the kitchen was not just a room, but a world where imagination and passion came alive.

I invite @pandora2010 @ruthjoe @mariami