GIFTS

A few summers ago, I traveled to visit my Uncle S at an old people’s home in Maryland.

A book I’m reading took me to a similar setting when the author described the protagonist visiting her ailing grandmother. The description in the book triggered this memory; the whiff of cleaning fluid that woke me up to where I was, the sound of cool, radio music as I passed each of the rooms, that burgundy bedding repeated in all the rooms and the sign on Uncle S’s door with his name inscribed on it.

I had not seen him for years. Mama had passed the previous year. Of course Uncle was unable to travel to see her before she passed. So I took it upon myself to go and see him as we had been told he was also unwell after having a couple of procedures.

His carers seemed animated especially when they heard I had traveled all the way from Ghana to see him. On reaching his room, I met an empty bed. I was expecting to see him lying on his bed, but I was taken to the large hall where many of the elderly were nodding off in front of the screens.

A dark, bald, shiny head beckoned. That must be Uncle S… I walked towards his wheel chair. As soon as he looked up and saw me, tears rolled down his face, I couldn’t control myself either. I bent down, hugged him and we both just could not stop ourselves.

After sharing a few tissues, he whispered a few words in English, he mumbled only in English, which I felt was interesting. We normally speak Twi our dialect so that seemed odd. Auntie was there with him, she had come to visit. She also received me very warmly and kept saying, “Your Uncle is much better now,” hoping that would sooth the emotions and console me.

It did somewhat! I am so glad I made made that trip, as it was the last time I saw my Uncle S. We lost him a year or so later.

I’m glad this memory was ignited by the story I’m reading. I feel I needed to relive that visit.