Shobna Seewoonarain Gendah

A gift from Nanima

I grew up and lived in my grandma's home by the sea till I was 6 years old. A home always filled with joy and laughter, aunt, uncles, cousins, neighbours and love. Both my parents worked and live in the city with my elder siblings, hence the reason me of living apart during my younger years, and also at that time, they felt safer having loved ones look after me instead of strangers in their absence. When it was time for me to start primary school, after kindergarten, I had to move to my parents house. I remember I felt excited about the new life ahead and getting to spend time with my siblings but at the same time, feeling an immense sadness that has never left me unfortunately. That house was another kind of growing up experience, bittersweet, good memories of teenage years and friendship, lifechanging moments, also, the place where my 6 years old self who had just come from a happy home experienced for the first time what domestic violence was, and the scars it left were so deep, they will stay for a lifetime.