My Mother pretended to be dead!!!
Some two decades ago when I was barely ten (10) years old, I was home with my younger sister who is four (4) years younger and my mum when an event I cannot forget in a hurry occurred. It must have been some hours around dusk that I entered the living room to meet my mother lying supine on the ground with no evidence of movement. This was quite a shock to me as I became very helpless on what to do. I was young and naïve but I knew something was not right.
My younger sister was right beside me and we both looked lost. Our elder siblings were not at home and there was no means of communication as telephones were not yet in circulation.
I can remember vividly lifting her hand up which landed back to the ground. I also parted her eye lids and they seemed unresponsive. At that age, I did not know what exactly I was looking for but I had to make a try. And yes, I shook her vigorously but she seemed very stiff. It seemed my younger sister looked up to me to resurrect our mother, neither did she know I was equally helpless.
I remember walking out of the house perhaps to look for anyone to help but I had come back alone. It was already night-time and I was out of options. Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw my mother lay down motionless.
The miracle that happened after tears dripped down my face was when she moved and sat up. To say I was elated was an understatement. Relief swept over me as my mother hugged my sister and I. after some time, she confessed she was only pretending to know and see what our reactions would be if such was to occur.
Sincerely I felt too young to experience such traumatizing event but of a truth, such is not uncommon. Children lose their parents / guardians and depending on their age, their reactions could be traumatizing.
My mother is a retired nurse and I am a Medical Doctor. She is well over sixty-six (66) years of age now, agile and more beautiful as the years roll by and I wish her more beautiful years ahead.
Thank you for reading through, I would love to read your comments and contributions.